Zbigniew Namyslowski – Open (Polish Jazz Vol.74, 1987)

Zbigniew Namysłowski - alto & sopranino saxophones

Kuba Stankiewicz - piano, keybords
Dariusz Oleszkiewicz - bass
Jerzy Głód - drums
Jose Torres - percussion

Open (Polish Jazz Vol.74, 1987)

This is a superb album by Polish Jazz veteran, saxophonist / composer Zbigniew Namyslowski, recorded with a great quintet which includes pianist Kuba Stankiewicz, bassist Dariusz Oleszkiewicz, drummer Jerzy Glod and percussionist Jose Torres. All the music, except for one standard, was composed by Namyslowski, who seems to be completely untouched by time, full of creative and performing powers and always at the edge of latest Jazz developments. It is his music, which is the true magic here, and although his performances as well as those of the other players are all excellent, the music is immediately recognizable as Polish Jazz, which is hardly surprising when coming from one of the Godfathers of the genre. It was always Namyslowski's ability to create a perfect link between the Jazz tradition and Polish folklore, which is deeply embedded in his cultural background, which made him a model for a new breed of European Jazz players, those who would stand proudly and say that they can contribute something new and fresh to the already established tradition of American Jazz and make it their own. In retrospect this is another milestone recording in the long and glorious recorded legacy that Namyslowski managed to bestow upon us, and hopefully will be also enjoyed by future generations. A must!

Track listing: 1. Double Trouble Blues; 2. Cuban Tango Mohito; 3. Bop-Berek; 4. 3xSpagetti; 5. Rachitic March; 6. Who Can I Turn To; 7. Very Sad Bossa; 8. Cy To Blues, Cy Nie Blues

(Editor) Based on Polish folk dance oberek "Bop-Berek" may be also translated as "bop hide-and-seek". Typical Namysłowski sense of humour... This tune is featured on this album although here played in different casts and few years later...

By Adam Baruch

http://adambaruch.com/