Wojciech Staroniewicz - Alternations (2008) by Maciej Nowotny

Wojciech Staroniewicz is one of these musicians who has surprised me the most over last few years. Though he is active on Polish jazz scene for over 20 years and played with all the greatest in Poland, he used to be somewhat low-profile, an excellent as sideman (in Włodzimierz Nahorny Sextet or LoudJazzBand) but rarely recognized as a standalone leader. However with his latest issues that is "Alternations" (2008) and "Afreakan Project", he proves to be as distinctive and inspiring voice in Polish mainstream jazz as much better known musicians.

On this record he is accompanied by young but already very successful musicians like Sławek Jaskułke (piano), Hubert Zemler (drums), Michał Barański (double bass) and, as a guest, superstar Leszek Możdżer (piano). As a result music is played simply brilliantly and since all songs are originals composed by Staroniewicz, we got here something fresh, creative and beautiful beyond description. Staroniewicz tenor sax reminds me Joe Henderson style: warm and very melodic but simultaneously creative and masculine, it saturates music with great inner energy and appeal. Fantastic record indeed!

Check following link for a sample of music from this album, a song titled "Dual": smashing play by Sławek Jaskułke on piano! Equally great is Leszek Możdżer piano storm as shown in "Sunny Sony" song!! What a jazz piano fiesta!!! More music from this album is available on Allegro's web site, the recording company to which we owe the printing (of the very high level) of this excellent album.

Author: Maciej Nowotny
http://kochamjazz.blox.pl/html