Ewa Bem – Be A Man (Polish Jazz Vol.65, 1981)

Ewa Bem - vocal

Henryk Majewski - leader, flugelhorn, trumpet
Henryk Miśkiewicz - clarinet, alto saxophone
Zbigniew Jaremko - tenor saxophone
Zbigniew Konopczyński - trombone
Andrzej Jagodziński - piano
Jerzy Stawarz - bass
Henryk Stefański - guitar
Tadeusz Federowski - drums
String Orchestra conducted by Zbigniew Jaremko
Zbigniew Wodecki - vocal

Be A Man (Polish Jazz Vol.65)
 

This is the 2nd album by the excellent Polish Jazz vocalist Ewa Bem, who dominated the female vocals spot in her country in the late 1970s and 1980s and is still active today. The five songs, which were included on side A of the vinyl LP are standards, which she sings in English and the six songs on side B of the vinyl LP are all originals, written especially for her, which she sings in Polish. She is accompanied by a wonderful octet, called Swing Session, led by Polish Jazz icon, trumpeter Henryk Majewski, who also wrote the wonderful arrangements. The octet members include also reedmen Henryk Miskiewicz and Zbigniew Jaremko, trombonist Zbigniew Konopczynski, guitarist Henryk Stefanski, pianist Andrzej Jagodzinski, bassist Jerzy Stwarz and drummer Tadeusz Federowski. Male vocalist Zbigniew Wodecki guests on two songs and three songs have also string arrangements. Whatever Bem misses as a virtuoso vocalist, she fully compensates by her wonderfully warm tone and exceptional musicality. Her interpretation and delivery are first-rate and she is definitely a world-class performer. Although pretty mainstream, this music is done with elegance and taste, which is why it stands the test of time wonderfully. Warmly recommended to fans of female Jazz vocals!

Track listing: 1 Medley: Them There Eyes, Love Is Here To Stay, Exactly Like You, The Days Of Wine And Roses, When The Saints Go Marching In (arr. H. Majewski) [06:26]; 2 Misty (E. Gerner - J. Burke) [04:31]; 3 The Man I Love (G. Gershwin - I. Gershwin) [03:47]; 4 Oh What A Beautiful Mornin' (R. Rodgers - O. Hammerstein II) [03:29]; 5 Grovin' High (C. Parker) [01:21]; 6 Badz mezczyzna (H. Majewski - M. Czubaszek) [02:56]; 7 Czy powie mi pan dzien dobry (Z. Jaremko - M. Wojtaszewska); Zbigniew Wodecki [03:30]; 8 Dzien dobry Mr. Blues (J. Wasowski - G. Perkun) [05:39]; 9 Wyznanie wieczorne (Z. Jaremko - K. Trębacz) [02:52]; 10 Tylko dni (Z. Jaremko - M. Czubaszek) [02:47]; 11 Rob co chcesz (H. Majewski - M. Czubaszek) [02:42]

By Adam Baruch

http://adambaruch.com/