Agnieszka Hekiert – Stories (2012)

Agnieszka Hekiert - vocals

Konstantin Kostov - piano

Robert Kubiszyn - bass

Cezary Konrad - drums

with
Krzysztof Herdzin - flute
Kuba Badach - vocals
Atom String Quartet

UNIVERSAL POLAND 028947651475

By Adam Baruch

Polish Jazz vocalist / composer Agnieszka Hekiert, who combines the careers of a vocalist and a successful vocal coach for TV reality shows, released this album eight years after her last release called "Night And Day Swing", which she recorded with the pianist / composer Krzysztof Herdzin and his trio. In the meantime she also recorded the "European Impressions" album with my dear friend, the great Polish saxophonist / composer Leszek Zadlo, which unfortunately remains unreleased so far. From that session she carried over the Bulgarian pianist / composer Konstantin Kostov (who studied with another friend of mine, the Russian pianist / composer Leonid Tschischik, now living and teaching in Germany), who is her closest collaborator on this album. The other musicians, who constitute the piano trio on this album, are bassist Robert Kubiszyn and drummer Cezary Konrad. Guest appearances also include Herdzin on flute (yes I smiled too), vocalist Kuba Badach and the superb Atom String Quartet.

The album includes twelve songs, four of which are Kostov / Hekiert originals, another four are by Hekiert or feature her lyrics, one is a standard, one is a song by Sting, another one by Polish vocalist Kayah and the last of mysterious Far East source (sic!); overall quite a mishmash of styles and influences, which are unified by the arrangements (the arranger is not listed) and excellent performances by the piano trio. Kostov is a brilliant player, which is evident both on his solo spots and his skillful accompaniment, and so are of course veterans Kubiszyn and Konrad.

Hekiert is a talented vocalist, singing lyrics and vocalese with obvious ease and technical proficiency. Most of the vocals are in Polish, which of course is highly commendable, with few exceptions, which are unfortunately less impressive. Overall the vocal parts are kept within very safe limits of mainstream Jazz, which is somewhat lacking, as she obviously could have taken a few more risks and less obvious choices. Perhaps the fact that the album was released by Universal signifies an attempt to produce a much wider accessible music? In any case compared to some truly exciting vocal albums released in 2012 in Poland, this one sadly does not challenge any of them.

Connoisseurs of vocal Jazz will find this a pleasant listening experience, with excellent instrumental parts and professional vocal performances, no less and no more.

Maciej Tubis - Fulfilment (2007)

Today I present young polish pianist Maciej Tubis (b. 1983) and his first recording titled Fulfilment. Why "fulfilment"? Although still very young Tubis has behind himself almost 20 years of musical edution. He finished with acclamation studies in Music Academy in Lodz where he is now working as a teacher of jazz improvisation. Although he is exceptionally well educated in classical music, his inclination towards pop music (he's great fan of Jamiroquai) and jazz music led him eventually toward improvised music.

His music still sounds very classical and is inspired by composers like Arvo Part, Michał Górecki and Grażyna Bacewicz, therefore being very spacious, cold, solemn and melodic. There are present some touches of jazz but generally speaking they are rather sparse and this is jazz almost without syncopated or swing element, strange as it sounds. In this few moments however when Tubis start to play more jazz than classical music we listen to pianist that has incredible and great possibilties, the one that may in future continue the line of polish virtuoso pianist succesfully melding classic and jazz music, like for example Mieczysław Kosz, Adam Makowicz or Leszek Możdżer.

Tubis composed all the music played on this album (except song Moja Lodz that is improvisation on the theme of polish opera composer Stanisław Moniuszko). Last but not least music on this disc is stylistycally coherent, attractive and inspiring. I simply admire this work of such a young artist who shows that as composer, performer, musician he's capable of great things in future.

On this record he is accompanied by Jacek Delong playing on tenor saxophone, Mariusz Wiater on double bass and Emil Waluchowski on drums. All these muscians come from Lodz and are connected to its Music Academy as teachers or students.

Another song on this record is titled Jest jak jEST (It is like it is) and is evidencing the influences of wonderful Esbjorn Svensson Trio on Maciej Tubis music. I believe this video is proving that his talent may in time match the genius of his master: