Jerzy Milian - Ostatnia Kompozycja (2019)

Jerzy Milian

Jerzy Milian - vibraphone

Kuba Stankiewicz - piano

Maciej Fortuna - trumpet

Maciej Kociński - saxophone 

Piotr Banyś - trombone

Jakub Mielcarek - double bass 

Stanisław Aleksandrowicz - drums 

with Symphonic Orchestra

Ostatnia Kompozycja

SJP 007

By Adam Baruch

This is the third installment of the project dedicated to the music by and the memory of the iconic Polish Jazz vibraphonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Jerzy Milian, carried out by trumpeter/composer Maciej Fortuna. Milian, who died in 2018, cooperated during the last years of his life with young musician from his hometown of Poznań, and even wrote new compositions for them, the first of which was released as part of the first installment of this project called "Music For Mr. Fortuna". Two further compositions: "Dylematy Dla Pięciu" and "Konsylium z Żyrafą", both of which are multi-part suites, are released here for the first time. 

The music is performed by top Polish Jazz musicians: trumpeter Maciej Fortuna, saxophonist Maciej Kociński, trombonist Piotr Banyś, pianist Kuba Stankiewicz, bassist Jakub Mielcarek and drummer Stanisław Aleksandrowicz. On two additional tracks Milian plays vibraphone accompanied by symphony orchestra conducted by Grzegorz Stasiuk, who also created the orchestral arrangements. "Konsylium z Żyrafą" was the last composition by Milian completed before his death, hence the album's title.

The music is everything one might expect from Milian, as far as the compositions are concerned, and from the musicians as far as execution is concerned. Milian was always a master of atmosphere; ad his compositions here confirm his reputation. Fortuna and his cohorts play brilliantly, as expected.

Overall this is another piece in the hyper-sized puzzle of Milian´s legacy, which proves his importance as one of the leading European Jazz composers and trendsetters. The album is an absolute must to Milian´s avid fans and completists of his recorded legacy. Although only slightly above half an hour in playing time, it fully justifies to be a part of any serious Polish Jazz collection.