Description

Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Sopot, conducted by Wojciech Rajski, was a original initiator of a unique musical venture – a jazz project featuring a string orchestra. Even though Wojciech Staroniewicz and the musicians of the Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra are no strangers and have collaborated numerous times before, it is the first time they record in the studio together.

Since the ‘Charlie Parker with Strings’ compilation album was released in 1995, every established jazz saxophonist (such as Wojciech Staroniewicz) aims to include a recording that features a classical string section in his portfolio. Usually, the strings are supported by a brass section (Joe Lovano’s ‘Symphonica’) or the complete symphonic orchestra is used (Sting with Branford Marsalis or in Joshua Redman’s ‘Omnifenix’). However, to give his recording more delicate, velvet quality, Staroniewicz decided to limit the size of the orchestra to string section only. Accompanying the orchestra is an excellent Andrzej Jagodziński Trio (Adam Cegielski – acoustic bass; Chesław ‘Mały’ Bartkowski – drums) whose incredible jazz feel and musical sharpness complete this unusual musical marriage.

The album ‘Tranquillo’ has come to fruition after years of Staroniwicz and Rajski’s orchestra joint live performances. The recording includes music by A.C. Jobim, Joe Henderson, Duke Ellington as well as Wojciech Staroniewicz’s original compositions. The fantastic string section arrangements, which were written by Włodzimierz Nahorny, Andrzej Jagodziński and Artur Jurek, add to the intensity and depth of the recording.

Lush saxophone, gently strumming piano and a string orchestra sound more like a recipe for a soundtrack to a third-rate erotic movie (i.e. porn flick) than a serious musical venture. The iniquitous “Sax and Strings” trap made many of the best Jazz saxophone players sound like muzak junkies, leaving only a few of them, who managed to create some superb music out of this unforgiving format. I was prepared for the worse when I placed this album into the CD player and hesitantly pushed the Play button. Lo and behold, the music turned out to be simply delightful… what a relief.

Veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Wojciech Staroniewicz combines forces with pianist Andrzej Jagodzinski and his trio, which also includes bassist Adam Cegielski and Master veteran drummer Czeslaw Bartkowski. The resulting quartet is accompanied by the Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Sopot, conducted by Wojciech Rajski. The album consists of eleven compositions, two of which are originals by Staroniewicz and the rest are standards (four of those are by Antonio Carlos Jobim). The orchestral arrangements of seven of the tracks were written by another veteran Polish Jazz hero Wlodzimierz Nahorny, three are by Jagodzinski and the remaining one by Artur Jurek.

The music is presented on three overlaying platforms: the saxophone, the piano trio and the orchestra; each of those with its separate content, and merging with the other two to create the overall effect and compliment each other. Staroniewicz is a superb sax player and his wonderful tone and flow are absolutely perfect for this music. He plays the melodies, but also improvises constantly, although staying well within the harmonic boundaries. Jagodzinski and his trio are also one of the finest Polish Jazz ensembles, and although their role on this album is mostly limited to provide the Jazzy atmospheric background and rhythmic backbone, the trio’s leader plays several beautiful lyrical solos and the rhythm section swings like there’s no tomorrow.

The strings are the biggest surprise of them all; the arrangements are quite unusual and often not what the listen might expect at all – intelligent, challenging and with a life of their own. Combined with the quartet playing on top they enhance the overall result enormously and one must admit they do it most pleasantly.

Yes, this is the gentle side of Jazz. It is sweet and romantic and beautiful, but it is also clever, perfectly done and heartwarming. It manages to avoid being kitschy, which is so damn difficult under these circumstances. OK I admit, I’m a dead romantic at heart and I love this stuff, exactly for what it is – bite me ;) The album’s artwork is also beautiful, one of the few cases when the artwork fits the album’s contents perfectly. Great stuff!

Adam Baruch

Tracks

1.	Among the Monks	5:25
2.	The Girl from Ipan Ipanema	5:12
3.	Black Narcissus	4:13
4.	Sophisticated Lady	5:23
5.	Ja w kapeluszu	6:54
6.	Duke of Iron	5:00
7.	Favela	4:02
8.	Gentle Rain	5:54
9.	Autumn Leaves	5:15
10.	Corcovado	3:46
11.	Adeus	3:32

Staroniewicz / Jagodziński / Rajski ‘Tranquillo’ CD

Description

Tracks