S.P.P.T. Chalturnik – Chalturnik (Polish Jazz Extended, Vol. 95, 1974)

S.P.P.T. Chalturnik (band)

Jan Ptaszyn Wroblewski - tenor saxophone, "mouth synthesizer", leader
Zbigniew Namyslowski - alto saxophone
Janusz Muniak - tenor saxophone
Tomasz Szukalski - bass clarinet, clarinet, tenor saxophone
Zdzislaw Piernik - tuba
Jan Jarczyk - piano, trombone
Tomasz Ochalski - piano (tracks 2, 10 only)
Bronislaw Suchanek - bass
Jerzy Bezucha - drums

Chalturnik (1974)

This wonderful album is the debut recording by the S.P.P.T. Chalturnik ensemble, invented, founded and led by saxophonist / composer / bandleader Jan "Ptaszyn" Wroblewski. As the title suggest, the idea behind this ensemble is all about humor in Jazz, a relatively rare attitude in modern Jazz but something quite common in traditional Jazz. The ensemble consisted of the crème de la crème of the Polish Jazz scene: saxophonists Zbigniew Namyslowski, Janusz Muniak and Tomasz Szukalski, tuba player Zdzislaw Piernik, pianist Jan Jarczyk (replaced by Tomasz Ochalski on two tracks), bassist Bronislaw Suchanek and drummer Jerzy Bezucha, with the leader playing saxophone and a "mouth synthesizer" (i.e. a comb) and contributing four of his original compositions. The rest of the music comes from various sources, including even one theme by Tomasz Stanko (obviously a tongue in cheek towards modern Jazz). Although the humorous approach to the music is easily detected, the perfect performances and the wonderful arrangements turn this album a true gem. These great musicians prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that sometimes it pays to take a slightly relaxed approach to music. Great stuff!

Tracklisting: 1. Nasze male trzydziestolecie; 2. Lampasiasty; 3. El Condor Pasa; 4. Medley: Serende in Blue/ I'm Getting Sentimental; 5. Cockneyem; 6. What's New Pussycat; 7. Podwieczorek bez mikrofonu; 8. Music for my friends; 9. Experience

By Adam Baruch
www.adambaruch.com