Slawomir Kulpowicz – Three Etudes / Prasad In Mangalore (2009) ***1/2

Slawomir Kulpowicz - piano

Jarooslaw Smietana - guitar

Witold Szczurek - bass

Krzysztof Przybylowicz - percussion

Jerzy Bartz - percussion

Jose Torres - percussion

ANEX 319

By Adam Baruch

Following the demise of The Quartet, Polish Jazz pianist / composer Slawomir Kulpowicz founded a new ensemble, which he called In-Formation. Over time several different versions of In-Formation existed, including a duo, a piano trio, quartet and even sextet. In-Formation recorded two albums and later took part in the recording of this album, which was eventually released as a Kulpowicz solo album. The album consists of three solo piano pieces recorded for the Polish Radio and three pieces recorded live by In-Formation during the Jazz Jamboree Festival with guitarist Jaroslaw Smietana, bassist Witold Szczurek (a.k.a. Vitold Rek) and percussionists Krzysztof Przybylowicz, Jerzy Bartz and Jose Torres.

All the music was composed by Kulpowicz and is a direct continuation of his John Coltrane / McCoy Tyner influenced style presented earlier by The Quartet. But in time the music becomes more contemplative and also more personal, as evident mostly on the solo piano pieces. In parallel the Indian and other World Music influences are trickling in steadily and can be already clearly heard herein. The In-Formation pieces are truly superb and present the group as a great vehicle for the Kulpowicz compositions. They also expose Smietana as the first rate player he always was, regardless of the setting.

In retrospect this is a great document of the Polish Jazz scene in the early 1980s and an important part of the legacy Kulpowicz left behind him, which should serve as an endless source of inspiration to new generations of Polish Jazz players. Definitely worth investigating!

Side Note: The Poljazz label, which originally released this album, was active for 20 years (between 1972 and 1991) and was owned by the Polish Jazz Society. Considering the fact that the music industry in the Socialist State was centralized and totally controlled, with just one State owned music company producing all the albums, the possibilities to record and release Jazz albums were extremely limited. Poljazz was conceived and founded in order to allow for many more Jazz (and other) albums to be released independently from the State owned Polskie Nagrania / Muza and as such revolutionized the music industry at the time, being the only such enterprise in Eastern Europe. The Polish label Anex reissued many of the original Poljazz albums on CD, bringing this fabulous music back to life.

String Connection - Live in Warsaw (Poljazz, 1986)

String Connection (band)

Krzesimir Dębski - violin, keyboards
Andrzej Jagodziński - grand piano, french horn
Zbigniew Wrombel - bass
Krzysztof Przybyłowicz - drums

Live in Warsaw (Poljazz, 1986)

A short note about this album might begin as the introduction to Star Wars movie cycle: "Far far away in a distant country behind the Iron Curtain a small group of rebels tried to dispel the darkness imposed upon jazz music by the evil Empire". As you probably know in 1981 gen. Jaruzelski crushed the Solidarity movement  in Poland. His backlash on democratic forces was not limited to politics only. The culture of the country suffered under communist tyranny as well. The music and jazz  being no exception of course. Subsequent period of decadence was seen as extremely disheartening especially when compared to unprecedented and continued rise of jazz in Poland which began in mid-50ties and lasted for quartet of the century unhindered.

The depression reigned on almost every field of people's life be it political, economical or cultural but there were some beacons of hope even in those times which heralded that some renaissaince might be possible in future. In Polish jazz perhaps strongest example of such a hope was music created by String Connection. They debuted in 1982 with "Workoholic" and were recording feverishly in following years completing discography of nine discs in next 6 years when in 1988 the group was disbanded.

The moving force behind this collective was violinist Krzesimir Dębski who should be placed among the greatest exponents of so-called Polish school of jazz violin together with such giants as Zbigniew Seifert (check his "Man of Light") or Michał Urbaniak (check "Fusion III"). But other musicians in this band played on equally high level: pianist Henryk Jagodziński (who in following years made significant career on his own; check for example "Deep Cut"), doublebassist Zbigniew Wrombel and drummer Krzysztof Przybyłowicz. Music was progressive as for those times. Though clearly rooted in bop tradition and influenced by fusion aesthetic, it was at the same time creatively transformed by band's members into language of their own. That is probably why  its rehearsal after so many years sill remains more than satisfactory experience...

Tracklisting:
1. Surim
2. Red Autumn Trees
3. Chcialbym Sie Czegos Napić
4. Shadow Of Your Smile
5. Bye Bye Chorus
6. Genealogy

String Connection – 2012 (Polskie Radio, 2012) by Adam Baruch

String Connection (band)

Krzesimir Dębski - violin, keys, Hammond
Andrzej Olejniczak - soprano and tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
Janusz Skowron - piano, Fender
Krzysztof Ścierański - bass guitar
Krzysztof Przybyłowicz - drums, percussions
Anna Jurksztowicz - vocal (6 i 8)

2012 (Polskie Radio, 2011)

Over 20 years after the Polish Jazz ensemble String Connection ceased to exist after several years of leading the local Jazz scene, here they are again, reunited, rejuvenated and recharged with new energies. Led by the violin virtuoso / composer Krzesimir Debski, who founded the original group in 1981 and who was also responsible for group's breakup due to his mounting commitments as a composer for film and contemporary Classical music, the group also includes original members: saxophonist Andrzej Olejniczak, keyboardist Janusz Skowron, bassist Krzysztof Scieranski and drummer Krzysztof Przybylowicz. Female vocalist Anna Jurksztowicz guests on two tracks. The music was composed mostly by Debski (six of the eight tunes on the album) with Olejniczak and Scieranski contributing one composition each. All these players are of course masters of their trade and their performances are always top notch, as expected. The music covers a wide spectrum of compositions, from World Music influences to Fusion, with the typical Eastern-European awareness of somewhat quirky melody lines and rhythmic patterns. There are no surprises here or groundbreaking innovations, but a lot of excellent and enjoyable music. For Jazz violin connoisseurs this is a must of course, as Jazz albums with violin are unfortunately a rarity, especially those of such quality like this one. Recommended!

Track listing: 1. Istrian Sideways; 2. Croatia On My Mind; 3. El Juguete; 4. Das Salzperlspiel; 5. Obsession; 6. Saranjeet Kaur; 7. Cien Kilos De Papas; 8. O Czym Marzą Dziewczyny



By Adam Baruch

http://adambaruch.com/

String Connection - 2012 (Polskie Radio, 2012) by Maciej Nowotny

String Connection (band)

Krzesimir Dębski - violin, keys, Hammond
Andrzej Olejniczak - soprano and tenor saxophone, bass clarinet

Janusz Skowron - piano, Fender
Krzysztof Ścierański - bass guitar
Krzysztof Przybyłowicz - drums, percussions
Anna Jurksztowicz - vocal (6 i 8)

2012 (Polskie Radio, 2011)

String Connection is a band which existed from 1981 to 1988. In darkest times of martial law imposed by gen. Jaruzelski this music was a beacon of light in Polish jazz. It brought high quality, energetic and optimistic muse to people depressed by dire political situation and unbelievable hardships of living in country whose economy was falling apart. By 1988 however when this collective disbanded their music sounded already outdated and not reflecting changes in then fast changing world. Changes which eventually in 1989 brought freedom to Poland. It is therefore no surprise that reactivated after more than 20 years after it ceased to function this project cannot be taken as anything else than sentimental journey to the past. It brings nothing new and though music is very well played, it lacks in zeal and enthusiasm so characteristic to these musicians back in 80ties. I especially regret that such exceptional artists as violinist Krzesimir Dębski or saxophonist Andrzej Olejniczak stopped contributing creatively to Polish Jazz. This CD although sweet and charming is proof that they were unable to enter in dialogue with new aesthetics which emerged in jazz in last 20 years or so. Saying all that I must admit that rehearsing this album brought me a lot of pleasure! It is brilliantly played, songs are easy to catch and it tastes perfect when accompanying morning coffee. Though very little of jazz is present in these sounds, at least of jazz as it is understood at the beginning of XXI century...

Track listing: 1. Istrian Sideways; 2. Croatia On My Mind; 3. El Juguete; 4. Das Salzperlspiel; 5. Obsession; 6. Saranjeet Kaur; 7. Cien Kilos De Papas; 8. O Czym Marzą Dziewczyny

String Connection 2012 by adamkubalica

Author: Maciej Nowotny
http://kochamjazz.blox.pl/html