Jacek Mielcarek/Marek Walarowski – Mellow Look (2005)

Jacek Mielcarek/Marek Walarowski

Jacek Mielcarek - saxophone/clarinet
Marek Walarowski - piano

Mellow Look

RADIO OPOLE 014



By Adam Baruch

This is a nice album by a duo of Polish Jazz musicians: saxophonist/clarinetist Jacek Mielcarek and pianist Marek Walarowski, who are both graduates of the Jazz Department of the Music Academy in Katowice. Together they perform twelve pieces, three of which are originals by Walarowski and nine are standards.

The music, as expected, is all melodic mainstream, with emphasis on the lyrical expression, which both musicians obviously tend to agree on. The original compositions fit very nicely into the overall atmosphere, offering solid melody and the same melancholic atmosphere as the standards selected for the recording.

As a duo both musicians display the affinity and mutual respect needed to cooperate and produce a unified statement combining the abilities and talents of both participants. The resulting music is elegant and flows gently, providing the listener with an opportunity to enjoy the music in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

This is one of those albums that are accessible to a wide audience due to their gentle character, but which keep an artistic integrity of the music intact, without compromising the essence of Jazz. As such it is definitely worth investigating, although it is probably very difficult to fine these days.