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Pokazywanie postów oznaczonych etykietą Berny Sławek. Pokaż wszystkie posty
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czwartek, 14 lipca 2022

Slow - Under Everchanging Sky (2022)

Slow


Tomasz Kaczmarczyk - gitara
Leszek Szczerba - saksofon
Krzysztof Wermiński - piano, instr. klawiszowe
Tomasz Grabowy - bas
Sławomir Berny - perkusja

Under Everchanging Sky (2022)

Tekst: Maciej Nowotny

Pod bardzo pojemnym parasolem jazzu (tak powiedział kiedyś jeden z wielkich, nie pamiętam już dokładnie który, chyba Hancock) mieszczą się tak skrajnie różne gatunki jak jazz eksperymentalny, free, awangardowy, ale i jazz rock czy fusion, taneczne acid jazz i nu jazz, różne rodzaje etno jazzu i world music, flirtujący  z muzyką poważną tzw. trzeci nurt i wiele, wiele innych, a wśród innych rodzaj popularny wśród słuchaczy, ale mniej kochany przez krytyków czyli smooth jazz. Do muzyków go uprawiających należeli/należą tak wspaniali artyści jak Chuck Mangione, Dave Koz, Bob James czy (na kilku płytach) David Sanborn i tak nijacy, ale tworzący fajny klimat jak Chris Botti, nęcąca wdziękami Candy Dulfer czy będący antytezą dobrego jazzowego smaku (przynajmniej dla piszącego te słowa) Kenny G. Byłoby jednak błędem niedostrzeganie wartości tej muzyki, faktu, że cudownie się sprawdza w pewnych sytuacjach jak np. pyszna kolacja zakrapiana wyśmienitym winem zakończona... jazdą w windzie :-).

Tak czy owak gatunek żyje i także w Polsce ma swoich wybitnych przedstawicieli, do których należy gitarzysta Tomasz Kaczmarczyk. Jego najnowszy album nagrany w towarzystwie wyśmienitych muzyków (Leszek Szczerba grający na saksofonie, Krzysztof Wermiński na fortepianie i instr. klawiszowych, Tomasz Grabowy na basie i Sławomir Berny na perkusji) pozostaje wierny smooth jazzowej formule. Ale jednocześnie jest tak dobrze zagrany i zawiera tyle oryginalnych, skomponowanych przez lidera melodii, łatwo wpadających w ucho i mających uspokajający, terapeutyczny wpływ na słuchacza, że - szczerze mówiąc - trudno się od niej oderwać. Jadąc ostatnio samochodem  z Warszawy do Wrocławia (w niejazzowym towarzystwie) złapałem się na tym, że wysłuchałem jej trzy razy pod rząd. Mogłem jednocześnie gwarzyć ze znajomi, oddawać się swobodnym rozmyślaniom o zbliżających się wakacjach, głaskać psa (tak, jazda samochem ze mną obarczona jest sporym ryzykiem), ale muzyka cały czas docierała do mnie, łagodziła ostre brzegi rzeczywistości, koiła, wprowadzała w dobry nastrój, nie raniąc przy tym moich uszu. I dlatego sądzę, że można polecić ją tym, którzy potrzebują jazzu albo po prostu muzyki w każdej z życiowych sytuacji, nawet tych zdawałoby się najbardziej trywialnych. 

sobota, 4 listopada 2017

Piotr Domagała – Pnącza (2013)

Piotr Domagała

Piotr Domagała - guitar
Adam Kawończyk - trumpet
Sławek Berny - percussion

Pnącza

KAAN 003




By Adam Baruch

This is the third album by Polish guitarist/composer Piotr Domagała, recorded in an intimate trio format with trumpeter/flautist Adam Kawończyk and percussionist Sławomir Berny. The same lineup recorded also Domagała's previous album called "Slavonic Tales". The album presents nine original compositions, all by Domagała.

The music is a wide amalgam of influences, including World Music form Far and Near East and Domagała's domestic Polish Folklore, obviously Jazz but also some Classical Music hints, in short a cross-genre offering, which sounds absolutely brilliant from start to finish. The music is serene and relaxed, based on exquisite melodies, which serve as a basis for extensive improvisations and elaborate expansions. Even the up-tempo numbers sound perfectly peaceful and focused.

The guitar is of course at the center of the listener's attention, often multi-tracked to achieve a richer and more spacey sound, but the trumpet/flute and the superb percussion work all add up to make this album an unforgettable experience. In addition the music is beautifully recorded, with excellent detail and separation, which allows every singe note and tone to be perfectly audible.

Domagala's guitar playing is nothing short of virtuosic and his technique allows him to express the depth of his aesthetics and the beauty of his compositions. When talent, experience and dedication come together, like on this album, the result is simply overwhelming and the minimalism of this music works in its favor, creating a superb result in which every single note counts.

Overall this is an album of rare beauty, which every guitar connoisseur on this planet should absolutely fall in love with. Although recorded a few years before it arrived on my desk (courtesy of the creator) it is definitely way too good to be ignored and I hope some people will discover this gem now; better late than never. An absolute must!

czwartek, 5 października 2017

Silberman New Trio i Adam Oleś Hurdu Hurdu na festiwalu "jazz & literatura" !!!


Silberman New Trio feat. Jan Peszek - Chorzów, MDK Batory - 09.10.2017, godz. 19.00
Adam Oleś Hurdu Hurdu - Chorzów, SDK - 11.10.2017, godz. 19.00

Silberman to nazwa, która przylgnęła do kompozytora i perkusisty Łukasza Stworzewicza i jego kolejnych projektów. Silberman New Trio feat. Jan Peszek to przedsięwzięcie szczególne, wymykające się prostym klasyfikacjom. Jazzowe trio fortepianowe dokonuje doskonale współbrzmiącej fuzji międzygatunkowej, czerpiąc z elementów klasycznych, eksperymentalnych i rockowych. Muzyce towarzyszy awangardowa poezja Krystyny Miłobędzkiej, którą na żywo interpretuje prawdziwy mistrz słowa – Jan Peszek. Poetka, której naczelnym pragnieniem twórczości jest chęć zawarcia największego w najmniejszym, jest w tym projekcie, cytując słowa jej wiersza, "współżywa, współczynna, współwinna". Odnosi się wrażenie, że muzyka i poezja są wręcz organicznie zespolone, przenikają się, zamieniają rolami.


Adam Oleś, wiolonczelista kojarzony z jazzem, sięgnął do korzeni śląskiego folku, wykorzystując niektóre motywy dla stworzenia intrygującego, nieoczywistego projektu inspirowanego śląskością o nazwie "Hurdu_hurdu, czyli godka śląska w jazzie". Artysta wykreował kolaż gwary śląskiej, prostych melodii ziemi pszczyńskiej oraz współczesnej aranżacji, która próbuje poszukiwać frapujących współbrzmień "tego stamtąd" z "tym tutaj". Wszystko po to, aby całość nie tylko zadziwiała, ale i na nowo odkrywała to, co wydaje nam się dobrze znane. Album wydany w 2012 roku nakładem Wydawnictwa Falami, zdobył III nagrodę w konkursie na Folkowy Fonogram Roku w ramach konkursu Nowa Tradycja 2013.

poniedziałek, 28 listopada 2016

Piotr Domagała/Kwartet Śląski – Chowańce (2016)

Piotr Domagała/Kwartet Śląski

Piotr Domagała - guitars
Szymon Krzeszowiec - violin
Arkadiusz Kubica - violin
Łukasz Syrnicki - viola
Piotr Janosik - cello
Sławek Berny - percussion

Chowańce



GAP 5905669506014

By Adam Baruch

This is the fourth album by Polish Jazz guitarist/composer Piotr Domagała, recorded in an unusual setting with the Kwartet Śląski String Quartet (violinists Szymon Krzeszowiec and Arkadiusz Kubica, violist Łukasz Syrnicki and cellist Piotr Janosik) and percussionist Sławomir Berny. Together they perform eleven original compositions, all by Domagała.

The music is an interesting amalgam of Jazz, Fusion, Classical Music and World Music, a true cross-genre voyage, based on beautiful melodic themes and featuring interesting and unique arrangements. The compositions are full of typical Polish/Slavic melancholy and mysticism, expressed both by the melodic/harmonic setting and the complex arrangements, fabulously executed by the string quartet, which often sounds like layers of synthesizers rather than violins, viola and cello. In that respect this is one of the most unique projects I came across in 2016 not only on the Polish scene, but worldwide.

Domagała is a very accomplished guitarist and plays many breathtaking passages on this album. Most of the guitar work is acoustic and uses a plethora of different guitar techniques. A few electric parts are also present, but those are overall less significant as the album presents mostly a serene, intimate atmosphere, which is best served by the acoustic approach, which of course also corresponds well to the string quartet.

The string quartet, as already mentioned, is absolutely superb, playing completely originally and free of any Classical Music conventions, which often limit classical musicians and cause their cooperation with Jazz musicians to fail miserably. In this case the cooperation works out perfectly and the string quartet contributions are equally important to those of the leader. Berny is an ideal choice for this album, where his great sensitivity and rhythmic proficiency suit the music perfectly. Berny's experience with World Music and Jazz oriented projects is very extensive and his contributions here emphasize the rhythmic qualities of the music gracefully.

Overall this is a striking album, which presents ambitious and innovative music, superbly executed by the participating musicians. It is a wonderful example of intelligent music, which can also be very emotional and aesthetically pleasing. The album, which was recorded in the excellent RecPublica Studios, offers a stunning sound quality, which should satisfy even the sternest Hi-Fi connoisseurs. Wholeheartedly recommended!

sobota, 27 kwietnia 2013

Piotr Domagała - Pnącza (2013)

Piotr Domagała - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar
Adam Kawończyk - trumpet, flugelhorn, flute
Sławek Berny - tabla, udu, cajon, bongos, djembe, electric tampura, chekere

Pnącza (2013)

By Maciej Nowotny

Piotr Domagała as a guitarist stands alone among other musicians playing on this instrument in Poland. Not only he is a true virtuoso but his mature artistic vision encompassing as much jazz, as Slav folk and world music, unites all these influences into one unique language unmistakably his own.

This is only his second disc after outstanding debut "Slavonic Tales" released in 2009. Unlike others musicians, especially of younger generation, Domagała is neither prolific nor he changes projects and partners like gloves. Inversely he has focused on one enterprise and same musicians to be able to dug deeper into the matter of music.

The effect is fully satisfactory. I should perhaps do not use any labels to describe this music as they would all be misleading. But if forced I would prefer to call it "free mainstream" as it is as close to orthodox jazz as to classical music but first of all free in spirit. 

The success of this venture would be impossible without excellent partners of Domagała: trumpeter Adam Kawończyk and percussionist Sławek Berny. They are both well known and established musicians on our jazz scene. Together they form a trio like no other in Polish jazz and one of very few on European scene. Bound to the highest standards of performance, faithful to jazz and classical music heritage, at the same time they are brave enough to experiment and search for new lands. What else is necessary to make a listener happy? Perhaps one more thing should be mentioned as the sound on this CD is extremely well recorded and mixed which makes the rehearsal of this music even more enjoyable.


poniedziałek, 14 stycznia 2013

Wojciech Staroniewicz – A`FreAK-aN Project (2011)

Wojtek Staroniewicz - saxophone, leader
Przemek Dyakowski - saxophone
Darek Herbasz - saxophone
Irek Wojtczak - saxophone
Dominik Bukowski - marimba, vibraphone, kalimba
Janusz Mackiewicz - bass
Adam Czerwinski - drums
Larry Okey Ugwu - percussion
Slawomir Berny - percussion

ALLEGRO 021

By Adam Baruch

This is a very interesting concept album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Wojciech Staroniewicz, dedicated to African music. Staroniewicz assembled an unusual lineup, fronted by a four-saxophone brass section: himself on tenor, Przemek Dyakowski on tenor, Dariusz Herbasz on baritone and Irek Wojtczak on tenor and soprano saxophones. There are no keyboards, as appropriate for African music, which are replaced by typical African instruments like marimba and kalimba, with some vibraphone, all played by Dominik Bukowski. The rhythm section comprises of bassist Janusz Mackiewicz and drummer Adam Czerwinski and two percussionists complete the lineup: Larry Okey Ugwu and Slawomir Berny. The album includes seven original compositions, all by the leader, and was recorded "live" in the studio.

Rather than copying obvious African elements, Staroniewicz creates a set of compositions, which are African more in spirit than in form, a task which is most commendable and of course much more difficult. The brass arrangements sound similar to African Brass Bands, mostly those from Southern part of the continent, but what is most impressive, is that Staroniewicz presents Africa as a whole, with music influences originating from all the four corners of the Black Continent – North with its Middle-Eastern flavor, West with its typical rhythm signatures, East with its enchanting expressive melodies and South with its highly energetic, danceable spirit. The decision not to include keyboards, especially electronic ones, adds significantly to the authenticity and genuineness of the overall result.

Although obviously a team effort, especially in light of the live recording circumstances, there are plenty of great solos by all the players involved. These are all experienced and talented musicians, mostly leaders of their own ensembles and the common strength of their conglomerated effort is quite impressive. One should note that although this is obviously a Jazz-World Fusion album, the ethnic elements are not dominating the basic Jazz feel and order of things here, which happens so often in this genre. After all these are European musicians, who grew up on European aesthetics and heritage, and for them pretending to be native Africans would be ridiculous. Therefore this subtle and intelligent approach is much more effective.

In addition to the great musical content the album is also beautifully packaged and the graphic design of the digipak enclosure is simply wonderful and highly original, which proves how much thought and love went into making this album.

Highly recommended to Jazz-World Fusion enthusiasts, who should enjoy this music wholeheartedly and repeatedly, discovering the many layers it has to offer. Nice stuff!

niedziela, 22 lipca 2012

Robert Kubiszyn - Before Sunrise (Uniwersal, 2010)

Robert Kubiszyn - bass,electric guitar,rhodes,synth,arranging

Anna Maria Jopek - voc(4)
Grzegorz Turnau - voc(7)
Gregoire Maret - harmonica(2,4)
Robert Majewski - flugelhorn(8,10)
Henryk Miśkiewicz - soprano saxophone(6)
Adam Pierończyk - soprano saxophone(5)
Łukasz Poprawski - alto saxophone(3)
Krzysztof Herdzin - acoustic piano(3,4,5)
Dominik Bukowski - vibraphone(1)
Tim Miller - electric guitar(9)
Marek Napiórkowski - electric(2)and acoustic guitars(4,6,7)
Mino Cinelu-percussion(4,6)
Sławomir Berny - percussion(3,5,7,8,10)
Michał Dąbrówka - drums(2,5,9)
Cezary Konrad - drums(4,7,8,10)
Robert Luty - drums,udu(3)

Orchestra:
oboe: Joanna Żmijewska
violins: Mateusz Smoczynski,Wojciech Proniewicz, Adam Roszkowski,Michal Osmycki.
violas: Michal Zaborski,Wojciech Walczak.
cello: Anna Wrobel

Before Sunrise (Universal, 2010)

Robert Kubiszyn has appeared already on more than 60 albums of stars from different musical genres. Bearing in mind an experience he gathered while cooperating with pop, poetic song and jazz artists, bassist Robert Kubiszyn on his debut disc is moulding all these different languages in order to express what his soul sings about. [...] On "Before Sunrise" he seems to be a kind of contractor, a man implementing certain specific vision, looking for a definite sound which he hopes to attain by careful choice of collaborators who are able to accomplish this task best. That is why there is such a line-up of artists on this record and no other. Even big names may appear sometimes just in one song or two... [...] I am kind of a calm as far as next albums by Robert are concerned. This effort is so multicoulour that I cannot escape impression he may have enough ideas for many more of them...


Tracklist:
1. Short Story 1:38
2. Son Of The Sun 6:23
3. Life's Journey 7:08
4. Tak Wyjsc 6:23
5. Last Call 6:00
6. Before Sunrise 6:24
7. Mozesz Zyc 5:10
8. Nothing More Than Illusion 4:33
9. The Dreamcatcher 5:39
10. Event Horizon 3:40
11. Closed Chapter 3:58

By Piotr Iwicki (transl. Maciej Nowotny)


czwartek, 15 grudnia 2011

Jarek Smietana – A Tribute To Zbigniew Seifert (2009) by Adam Baruch

Jarek Śmietana (guitars)

Piotr Wyleżoł (acoustic & electric piano)
Janusz Grzywacz (keyboards)
Zbigniew Wegehaupt (bass)
Adam Czerwiński (drums)
Sławek Berny (percussion)

A Tribute To Zbigniew Seifert (2010)

and guests:
- Jerry Goodman - violin (1)
- Mateusz Smoczyński - violin (2)
- Didier Lockwood - violin (3)
- Krzesimir Dębski - violin (4)
- Christian Howes - violin (5)
- Mark Feldman - violin (6)
- Maciej Strzelczyk - violin (7)
- Adam Bałdych - violin (8)
- Pierre Blanchard - violin (9)

This is a stunning tribute album to the Polish violin virtuoso / composer Zbigniew Seifert by the great Polish guitarist Jarek Smietana and his band: pianist Piotr Wylezol, bassist Zbigniew Wegehaupt, drummer Adam Czerwinski and percussionist Slawek Berny. Keyboardist Janusz Grzywacz guests on two tracks. Smietana invited nine leading Jazz violinists to play along with this fabulous band, performing Seifert's wonderful compositions. They are: Jerry Goodman (ex-Mahavishnu Orchestra, USA), Mateusz Smoczynski (Poland), Didier Lockwood (France), Krzesimir Debski (Poland), Christian Howes (USA), Mark Feldman (USA), Maciej Strzelczyk (Poland), Adam Baldych (Poland) and Pierre Blanchard (France). These nine virtuosi play like there's no tomorrow and the resulting music is simply a breathtaking trip into Seifert's world. This is such a conglomerate of talent, that anything said beyond this would be simply superfluous. Simply grab this ASAP, as you are about to take trip of your life – violin heaven indeed!

Sample of great misci by Zbigniew Seifert:


Author: Adam Baruch
http://www.adambaruch.com/
check also his music boutique: https://www.jazzis.com/shop/

poniedziałek, 5 grudnia 2011

Slow - Art Of Silence (Proa Records, 2011)

Slow (band)

Tomek Kaczmarczyk - guitars
Krzysiek Wermiński - piano, kbds

Guests:
Sławomir Berny - perc
Michał Dąbrówka - drums
Robert Kubiszyn - el/ac bass
Kenny Martin - drums
Kasia "Puma" Piasecka - b.voc.
Ania Szarmach -voc.
Leszek Szczerba - ts, ss, fl

Art Of Silence (Proa Records, 2011)

Debut recording by smooth jazz duo of guitarist Tomek Kaczmarczyk and keyboardist Krzysiek Wermiński. Diversified selection of guests, catchy melodies and high quality of recording all contribute to make this CD  one not-to-be-missed for all smooth jazz lovers. Check sample of this music:  


Author: Maciej Nowotny


sobota, 6 sierpnia 2011

Piotr Domagała - Slavonic Tales (Kaan Studio Jazz, 2009)

Piotr Domagała  - guitar
Adam Kawończyk - trumpet, kalimba
Sławek Berny - perkusja

Kaan Studio Jazz, 2009
With great surprise I discovered that this album not only has no reviews in English but also in Polish just a handful and not as good as they should be. Mine also would not be perfect but I can do at least one thing and assure you that this disc contains very gracious music indeed!

The leader - Piotr Domagała - is one of big wave of strong and creative flock of guitarists coming in recent years to our market. Moreover his voice is individual and like no other player on Polish scene and can be described as having roots in tradition of great virtuoso classical guitarists but speaking in language of jazz with strong blues and cool jazz accents.

On this album he is accompanied by musicians perfectly matching his cool and relaxed style. On trumpet Adam Kawończyk, one of those players in Polish jazz that though unknown and underrated is indeed first class instrumentalist. He produces sound so filigree, delicate and minute that I cannot imagine better complement to Domagała poetic style. Rhythm background is pictured by Sławek Berny drums who succeeded in making his instruments sound sensitive enough not to even for a moment overshadowing refined lines produced by his companions. 

Very strong side of this album are compositions: all originals by Piotr Domagała, very, very melodic, merry, yet far from being superficial or trivial. Summarizing I can only wholeheartadly recommend this album to any lover of mainstram jazz.

Finally please listen to the only tune not written by Piotr Domagała on this album, a famous standard by Eden Abhez titled "Nature Boy":


More music from this album is available on Piotr Domagała web page: http://www.piotrdomagala.eu/slavonictales.html

Author of text: Maciej Nowotny 
...

niedziela, 30 stycznia 2011

Wojciech Staroniewicz - Afreakan Project (2011)

By Maciej Nowotny

When I put CD containing the newest Wojciech Staroniewicz album in my Marantz player and music began to flow from Tannoy loud speakers my wife which happened to pass through our living room exclaimed: "At least!" "What?" - I asked. She answered: "At least some music normal people can listen to...".
So my beloved free jazz discs were put aside and "Afreakan" reigns in my CD-player since then and to my own delight  since although mainstream it is so light-hearted, so exhilarating and so well played that I cannot stop  listening to this music which is simply no less than pure joy. 
Apart from Wojciech Staroniewicz who is mastering his tenor saxophone, you will find here as sidemen great musicians indeed like: Przemek Dyakowski (tenor saxophone), Darek Herbasz (baritone saxophone), Irek Wojtczak (tenor and soprano saxophone), Dominik Bukowski (marimba, vibraphone, kalimba), Janusz Mackiewicz (bass), Adam Czerwiński (drums, udu drum, african cowbell), Larry Okey Ugwu (african percussion - bass jembe, osha, chekere, agogo, ekwe) and Sławomir Berny (percussion - darabuka, bongos, marakas, shaker, cabasa, cowbell). From listing of instruments you can very well say that this time Staroniewicz venture on African safari succesfully blending typical Polish jazz virtuosity and musicality with etno climates. These excursions of Polish musicians toward so-called world music are recently more and more often with excellent example of this tendency being "El Buscador" by Adam Pierończyk. In both instances these trips are very attractive although Pierończyk moved in avantgarde direction while Staroniewicz has rather smooth jazz azimuth. However both are so well done that I cannot do anything else but recommend them together to any jazz loving heart.    
Although I have no music from this album please listen to fragment of concert with material from his previous album titled "Alternations" evidencing how high level these musicians represent.
Update: a song from new album now available. Check this link - fantastic indeed!!!

wtorek, 9 marca 2010

Jarosław Śmietana Band - A Tribute To Zbigniew Seifert (2009) by Maciej Nowotny























Zbigniew Seifert, born in 1946, lived only 33 years, but nonetheless he earned himself a reputation of the best polish jazz violinist ever (contended only by Michał Urbaniak). In this short span of time he had fruitous collaboration with Tomasz Stańko and also managed to play with Joachinm Kuhn, Charlie Mariano and Oregon group, which was quite exceptional back in 70ties when communist goverment virtually locked up Polish artist from Western world. His brilliant carrer was interrupted by cancer with which he was figthing for long time. Just 3 months before death he recorded his farewell album titled Passion accompanied by Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield, Eddie Gomes, Richie Beirach and Nana Vasconselos.
Guitarist Jarek Śmietana is no less prominent person in Polish Jazz and he worked together with Seifert on another of his legendary recording called Kilimanjaro. Thirty years after the departure of his friend he decided to venture on this specific project which turn out to be as succesul as it is ambitious. Jarek Śmietana Band consists of excellent pianist Piotr Wyleżoł, legendary bassist Zbigniew Wegehaupt and Janusz Grzywacz (keybord), Adam Czerwiński (drums) and Sławek Berny (percussion). But apart from these top musicians we encounter on this recording ten foreign and polish jazz violinits:
1. Kilimanjaro (with J. Goodman)
2. Where Are You Fron (with M. Smoczyński)
3. Passion (with. D. Lockwood)
4. Quo Vadis (with K. Dębski)
5. City Of Spring (with Ch. Howes)
6. Way To Oasis (with M. Felman)
7. Taniec Garbusa (with M. Strzelczyk)
8. Untitled Song (with A. Bałdych)
All compositions are Seifert's but newly arranged by Śmietana.  Addition of different violinist to each song makes the rehearsal of this album similar to the riding on the rollercoster but the one you really like to be on, in short it is simply pure joy. Great recording for the lovers of jazz violin!



Author: Maciej Nowotny
 

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