Jagodziński/Strobel - Tete-A-Tete (2017)

Jagodziński/Strobel

Andrzej Jagodziński - accordion
Janusz Strobel - guitar

Tete-A-Tete

SRMT 2017





By Krzysztof Komorek

W pewnej knajpie, na uboczu, gdzie zawsze najważniejsza była muzyka, od lat mijali się dwaj Panowie. Stali bywalcy, którzy nigdy nie zamienili ze sobą słowa, ograniczając się do przyjacielskich skinięć głową. Wreszcie jednak stało się tak, że zasiedli do rozmowy. Rozmowy muzycznej. Taka oto poetycka historia zawarta w załączonej do wydawnictwa książeczce stanowi wstęp do rzeczywistych spotkań, które zaowocowały omawianą tu płytą. Spotkań dwóch muzycznych tuzów, artystów z ogromnym doświadczeniem: Janusza Strobla, gitarzysty i kompozytora z doświadczeniem jazzowym i klasycznym, oraz Andrzeja Jagodzińskiego, wybitnego pianisty, tym razem grającego jednak tylko na akordeonie. 

Takie wydawnictwa z udziałem znakomitych muzyków, niewspółpracujących ze sobą na stałe, są na świecie czymś zwyczajnym. Ileż to już kapitalnych płyt znajduje się na półkach miłośników muzyki kameralnej, delikatnej, niespiesznej. Przykłady można by mnożyć, ale wymieńmy przy tej okazji chociażby klasyczne już nagrania Charliego Hadena z Gonzalo Rubalcabą czy Patem Methenym, tegoż Metheny’ego z Jimem Hallem czy Dave’a Hollanda z Kennym Barronem. 

"Tete-A-Tete" świetnie wpisuje się w ten kontekst. Tym bardziej, że obaj muzycy również należą do moich ulubieńców: Janusz Strobla pamiętam jeszcze z czasów fascynacji dokonaniami duetu Alber – Strobel. Andrzej Jagodziński w oczywisty sposób kojarzy się z chopinowskimi interpretacjami w wykonaniu autorskiego tria, ale także właśnie z akordeonowymi występami – chociażby przy okazji płyt nagranych z Giovannim Mirabassim. Tutaj mamy dziewięć kompozycji – sześć Strobla i trzy Jagodzińskiego. Trzy kwadranse odprężającej muzyki. Czasem spokojnej, nastrojowej, niekiedy całkiem żwawej i radosnej. Z gitarą wybiegającą ku klimatom raz klasycznym, raz latynoskim, i akordeonem podążającym od czasu do czasu ku nowoczesnemu musette.

Brakowało mi zawsze takich płyt w wykonaniu naszych krajowych, jazzowych znakomitości. Rejestracji, nawet jednorazowych, spotkań wybitnych postaci i grania niewymuszonego jakąkolwiek presją. Mam nadzieję, że album z udziałem tego kapitalnego duetu będzie promyczkiem zwiastującym częstsze tego rodzaju wydawnictwa.

Andrzej Jagodziński – W Hołdzie Wolności (2015)

Andrzej Jagodziński

Andrzej Jagodziński - piano
Robert Majewski - trumpet
Anna Stankiewicz - vocals
Agnieszka Wilczyńska - vocals
Janusz Strobel - guitar
Adam Cegielski - bass
Czesław Bartkowski - drums

W Hołdzie Wolności


POLSKIE RADIO 1986

By Adam Baruch

This is a live recording of a concert performed by veteran Polish Jazz pianist/composer Andrzej Jagodziński, which was organized to commemorate the fifteenth Anniversary of the IPN (Institute of National Remembrance). For the concert Jagodziński collected thirteen pieces of Polish music, which constitute a soundtrack of the Polish struggle for Freedom, both National and Political. They range from music composed by the Polish National composer Frederic Chopin to popular Folk and Pop songs, mostly those related in many ways to the Polish underground struggle during WW II, including the heroic Warsaw Ghetto uprising and the no less heroic Warsaw Uprising, the anti-Communist struggle following the immediate post-WW II years and up to the Solidarity movement, which finally led to the creation of the Free Polish Republic with the fall of the Soviet Empire.

These are all undoubtedly patriotic songs, one way or another, and in time when patriotism is often not considered as "politically correct", it is encouraging to see musicians taking a clear stand, without being ashamed or intimidated by it. Polish Jazz history has always been intertwined with political messages, as was Polish Literature, Poetry, Film and all other Arts. Being able to state one's political or patriotic view is after all an integral ingredient of the very Freedom, Poles have been fighting for so long.

Jagodziński "called to arms" some of the top Polish Jazz musicians on this album: vocalists Anna Stankiewicz and Agnieszka Wilczyńska, guitarist Janusz Strobel, trumpeter Robert Majewski, bassist Adam Cegielski and drummer Czesław Bartkowski. They all perform brilliantly, which is hardly surprising considering their experience and talent, creating a sensitive, intelligent and moving piece of meaningful music with carries a clear message without being vulgar or offensive. Jagodziński's arrangements are all elegant and tasteful, suiting the atmosphere ideally.

Of course this album has a layer which speaks only to people, who understand the Polish language and have some knowledge of Polish history. Nevertheless it has also universal values, which should be able to cross language barriers. This album made very little impact on the Polish Jazz scene at the time of its release, which is a great pity. The fragmented and often plainly divided Polish Society should really grow up put aside its political differences, when it comes to appreciation of Art or human relationships. The precious Freedom is after all so fragile and easily lost.

Ewa Bem – Tribute To Marek Bliziński (2015)

Ewa Bem

Ewa Bem - vocals
Marek Bliziński - guitar
Janusz Strobel - guitar
Jan Borysewicz - guitar
Jarosław Śmietana - guitar
Wojciech Waglewski - guitar
Jose Torres - percussion

Tribute To Marek Bliziński


POLSKIE RADIO 1945-1946

By Adam Baruch

This is a wonderful archival 2CD album by the Polish vocalist Ewa Bem, which she dedicates to the memory of the superb and tragically prematurely departed Polish Jazz guitarist Marek Bliziński, who died from cancer just a few days before his forty second birthday. Bliziński was the first modern Polish Jazz guitarist of international class and for many years during the 1970s and 1980s was considered the top guitarist on the Polish Jazz scene.

Bem and Bliziński recorded together several times as a duo and these recordings were collected on the album "Dla Ciebie Jestem Sobą", released by the Poljazz label, which is reissued here as the first CD of this album. The album consists of eleven songs, nine of which were written by Polish composers and lyricists, and two are standards with lyrics translated into the Polish language. In retrospect, although over three decades have passed since this music was recorded, these songs sound remarkably fresh and sparkling, losing none of their original charm. As noted in the liner notes, these duo recordings were inspired by the Ella Fitzgerald/Joe Pass sessions, which produced four superb albums released in the 1970s and 1980s. Blizinski's virtuosic guitar riffs are beyond reproach, precise and incredibly sensitive, and he proves being not only an exceptional player, but also a most sympathetic musical partner. Bem's youthful energy and obvious talent come to full fruition on this recording, presenting her as fully mature vocalist in complete control of her vocal abilities. Her interpretations of these songs show that she feels comfortably in a Jazz environment, but easily moves into Cabaret and Pop, with the same seriousness and dedication.

The second CD of this album presents a live recording of a concert from 2000, which was a tribute to Bliziński and which presents new versions of the songs originally recorded on the duo album with Bem being accompanied by four Polish guitarists: Jan Borysiewicz, Janusz Strobel, Jarosław Śmietana (who sadly also died from cancer in 2013) and Wojciech Waglewski. The vocal/guitar duos are accompanied by percussionist Jose Torres. In addition to the songs from the original album the duos perform also songs written by the guitarists. Everybody seems to be in top form and the music flows splendidly from one song to another with Bem being on top of things at all times. Her vocal abilities are in excellent form during the entire concert and she elegantly moves between genres, whether it is Jazz, Pop or Blues. The entire concert is a very heartfelt tribute to the memory of Blizinski, who of course deserves to be remembered for his invaluable contributions over the years.

The entire album has excellent sound quality and is carefully produced and packaged, bringing back to life an important segment of the Polish Jazz history, and as such is of course most welcome.

Alber-Strobel – Duet Gitar Klasycznych (Polish Jazz Vol.86 Deluxe, 1981)

Alber-Strobel (duo)

Henryk Alber - guitar
Janusz Strobel - guitar

Henryk Alber & Janusz Strobel (Polish Jazz Vol.85 Deluxe, 1972)

This is the second album by Polish acoustic guitar duo Alber-Strobel with guitarists / composers Henryk Alber and Janusz Strobel recorded a decade after their debut. Years of experience playing together and the process of growing up turned them into a formidable musical unit and this album, although quite similar in spirit to their debut, is much more tight, elaborate and simply brilliant. The material is mostly original on this album, again in contrast to the debut, which was mostly Brazilian music. The duo was quite an unusual phenomenon on the Polish Jazz scene, as they opted for playing in the intimate duet format and completely acoustically, whereas most guitarists opted of course for the electric version of the instrument. They played a mixture of original compositions and well known, mostly Brazilian pieces, composed by the best Brazilian composers. The elaborate arrangements and obvious virtuosic performances make this album an obvious choice for listeners, who love the acoustic guitar and South American flavor in music. Although only marginally Jazz per se, the element of improvisation is very strongly present here and it is one of the best examples of Polish Jazz-World Fusion. Definitely worth investigation and a must for guitar lovers!

Track listing:
1. Po piątej / After Five - Poobiednia drzemka / Afternoon Nap - Po trzeciej / After Three 8'38"
2. Mambo'68 2'26"
3. How Insensitive 5'10"
4. Na chodzie / In Good Condition 2'15"
5. Zdarzyło mi się coś takiego / Something Happened To Me 3'25"
6. Jestem przypadkiem / Incidentally I Am 5'16"
7. W środku ważnych dat / Amidst Important Dates 3'46"
8. Impresje barowe / Impressions From Night Club 6'07"

By Adam Baruch
http://www.adambaruch.com/

Alber-Strobel – Henryk Alber & Janusz Strobel (Polish Jazz Vol.85 Deluxe, 1972)

Alber-Strobel (duo)

Henryk Alber - guitar
Janusz Strobel - guitar

Henryk Alber & Janusz Strobel (Polish Jazz Vol.85 Deluxe, 1972)

This is the debut album by Polish acoustic guitar duo Alber-Strobel with guitarists / composers Henryk Alber and Janusz Strobel. The duo was quite an unusual phenomenon on the Polish Jazz scene, as they opted for playing in the intimate duet format and completely acoustically, whereas most guitarists opted of course for the electric version of the instrument. They played a mixture of original compositions and well known, mostly Brazilian pieces, composed by the best Brazilian composers. The elaborate arrangements and obvious virtuosic performances make this album an obvious choice for listeners, who love the acoustic guitar and South American flavor in music. Although only marginally Jazz per se, the element of improvisation is very strongly present here and it is one of the earliest examples of Polish Jazz-World Fusion. Definitely worth investigation!

Track listing:

1. Czarny Orfeusz - Orfeo Negro (L. Bonfa) [03:07]; 2. Se Acasso Voce Chegasse (L. Rodrigues) [02:19]; 3. Mossa (A.C. Jobim) [03:57]; 4. Motyle - La Mariposta (J. Strobel) [03:10]; 5. Samba (brazylijska melodia ludowa) [02:47]; 6. Walc Nr 1 - Valse No. 1 (A. Laura) [02:08]; 7. Taniec brazylijski Danza (H. Villa-Lobos) [02:06]; 8. Felicidade (A.C. Jobim) [03:17]; 9. Dindi (A.C. Jobim) [02:30]; 10. Romans miłosny - Romanca d'amore [03:32]; 11. Samba Dees Days (C. Byrd) [02:02]; 12. Ł [03:05]; 13. Uściski - un abraco no Bonfa (G. Gilberto) [01:44]; 14. Odeon (E. Nazareth) [04:06]

By Adam Baruch
http://www.adambaruch.com/