O.N.E. Quintet - One (2020)

O.N.E. Quintet

Monika Muc - saxophone
Dominika Rusinowska - violin
Paulina Atmańska - piano
Kamila Drabek - double bass
Patrycja Wybrańczyk - drums

One

AUDIO CAVE 2020/007


By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album by Polish Jazz ensemble O.N.E. Quintet comprising of five female representatives of the young generation of the local scene: saxophonist Monika Muc, violinist Dominika Rusinowska, pianist Paulina Atmańska, bassist Kamila Drabek and drummer Patrycja Wybrańczyk. The album presents seven pieces, three composed by Muc, two by Atmańska, one traditional tune and one composition by Krzysztof Komeda.

The music is quite characteristic of the young Polish Jazz scene; full of melancholy and folkloristic influences, strictly melody based but with open space for improvisation and soloing. The rather unusual instrumental lineup (see violin) creates a particular sound, which takes time to get used to. These Ladies have of course perfect schooling and a lot of playing experience behind them, which results in spotless execution, both by the front line and the rhythm section.

The original compositions are well structured, albeit a bit hesitant in their nature, which results in a certain lack of focus, as far as the album as a whole is concerned. But considering the fact that this is a debut offering, this is a minor point and can be easily forgiven.

This album offers a perfect opportunity to exam the timeless issue of "Women's Jazz", which always annoys me. I'd rather leave gender out of music the same way we should avoid dealing with race or religion. We should concentrate on giving woman equal opportunity instead. As this album proves, women can be certainly as creative, adventurous and clever as men in every aspect of life. Overall this is an important debut, which hopefully will open a recording continuance for this gathering of Jazz Amazons (daughters of Harmonia), for the years to come. Definitely worth investigating!

D.R.A.G. – Oberek (2017)

D.R.A.G.

Dominika Rusinowska - violin
Mateusz Gawęda - piano
Jakub Mielcarek - double bass
Józef Rusinowski - drums

Oberek

AUDIO CAVE 2017/003



By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album by Polish Jazz quartet D.R.A.G. led by violinist Dominika Rusinowska, which also includes pianist Mateusz Gawęda, bassist Jakub Mielcarek and drummer Józef Rusinowski. As the title suggests, the album presents six Polish Folklore melodies, arranged for the Jazz quartet by Rusinowska, Gawęda and the entire quartet (two pieces each). Although not stated on the album's liner notes, the music was recorded live (at least partly).

The renaissance of the Polish Jazz Violin School in the last decade is a true joy and seeing finally a female violinist joining the pack is encouraging. Especially so in view of this ambitious and interesting effort which crosses genres between Improvised Music and Jazz-World Fusion, which is extremely demanding.

The arrangements take the folkloristic themes only as basic musical ideas, which are then expanded by the lengthy improvisations, featuring the violin and piano. The rhythm section supports the soloists by creating a steady pulse, which drives the music forward and allows the soloists to move pretty far away, both harmonically and rhythmically. Most of the solo parts are quite Free oriented, at times even extremely Free, which sometimes slightly exceeds the abilities of the soloists, especially in the case of the leader. Nevertheless the music flows energetically and presents many superb moments of highly interesting intensity. By the nature of things Gawęda steals a lot of the attention with his stellar piano parts, but this of course should have been expected.

Overall the album tries to say a bit too much that is really necessary in this case. A more modest and calculated approach might have produced a more refined result, but considering the age and experience of these talented musician, a youthful enthusiasm is understandable. Definitely an impressive debut for the leader, who emerges as one more Polish Jazz musician worth following!

D.R.A.G. - Oberek - premiera 14.02.2017

D.R.A.G.

Dominika Rusinowska - violin
Mateusz Gawęda - piano
Jakub Mielcarek - double bass
Józef Rusinowski - drums

Oberek

AUDIO CAVE 003 2017

W dniu 14.02.2017 r. będzie miała miejsce premiera debiutanckiej płyty formacji D.R.A.G., zatytułowana "Oberek". D.R.A.G. to zespół nietuzinkowy – z pozoru jazzowy kwartet jakich wiele, ale już po kilku dźwiękach okazuje się, że grupa przemyca w swojej muzyce także inne inspiracje. Skrzypaczka i liderka formacji, laureatka nagrody publiczności podczas II Międzynarodowego Jazzowego Konkursu Skrzypcowego im. Zbigniewa Seiferta w roku 2016, Dominika Rusinowska, ze swoją pełną liryzmu, momentami rzewną, momentami zaś ognistą grą śmiało zapędza się w rejony zarezerwowane zazwyczaj dla muzyków ludowych.

Koncerty naturalnie najlepiej oddają charakter tego rodzaju grania, toteż dźwięki zawarte na wydanej nakładem wytwórni Audio Cave płycie "Oberek" zostały zarejestrowane podczas występu w Studio M w Radio Opole. Album ukazuje grupę w znakomitej formie, a połączenie jazzowego feelingu z ludową wrażliwością niesie ze sobą mnóstwo pozytywnych emocji i wrażeń. Pozycja obowiązkowa dla miłośników jazzu, folkloru i międzygatunkowych poszukiwań.

Tracklista:

1. W moim ogródecku
2. Grają Gracyki, skacą koniki

3. Mazurek podróżny do ślubu
4. Jest drożyna, jest
5. Som w stawie rybecki
6. Oberek

Patroni medialni: Polish-Jazz.blogspot, Jazzarium.pl, JazzPress, Jazz Forum, Lizard.