Jerzy Małek – Black Sheep (2019)

Jerzy Małek

Jerzy Małek - trumpet, flugelhorn
Radek Nowicki - tenor saxophone
Piotr Wyleżoł - piano
Aga Derlak - piano
Max Mucha - bass
Sebastian Frankiewicz - drums

Black Sheep



PRIVATE EDITION

By Adam Baruch

This is the eighth album by Polish Jazz trumpeter/composer Jerzy Małek, recorded in a classic Jazz quintet setting with saxophonist Radek Nowicki, pianists Piotr Wyleżoł or Aga Derlak, bassist Max Mucha and drummer Sebastian Frankiewicz. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Małek.

Stylistically the music is all within melodic Jazz mainstream, close to the American Jazz tradition, quite atypical to the contemporary Polish Jazz scene, which is more modernistic and experimental. That said, the music is wonderfully crafted and perfectly executed by seasoned musicians and sound every bit as good as the best of what American Jazz has to offer, proving again that Polish Jazz deserves to be completely free from any inferiority complexes in comparison to what is happening across the pond.

Małek has a brilliant ability to weave perfect tunes, all of which are well rounded and based on coherent melodic themes, especially so with his marvelous ballads. On the whole his compositions are truly classic examples of post Bebop idiom at its finest. Although not very innovative, this kind of music is still perfectly valid and has many followers the world over and albums like this are a perfect fit to their bill of fare.

Of course Małek is also a wonderful trumpeter, with perfect skills and intelligence, which guides him to avoid empty flashy displays of technique. His playing is always soulful and heartfelt, and a true pleasure to listen to. The other quintet members are all seasoned veterans and even the young Aga Derlak, who plays on two tracks, does an excellent job and showcases the next generation of the Polish Jazz stars.

Overall this is a perfect mainstream Jazz album in every respect, full of wonderful music and perfect musicianship, which should completely satisfy all connoisseurs of that idiom regardless of their geographical location. It is also an excellent example of the quality of Polish Jazz and the abilities of Jerzy Małek as a composer and a trumpeter, which he earned fair and square by hard work and a heap of talent. Well done!