Wojciech Staroniewicz
"Alternations"

Wojciech Staroniewicz - tenor and soprano saxophones
Sławek Jaskułke - piano
Michał Barański - acoustic bass
Hubert Zemler - drums

Leszek Możdżer (guest appearance) - piano

Organised trance, unlimited musical space in a small club room, free improvisation subjected to strict rules which is the path many jazz musicians follow nowadays. To run away from it or to go along with it? This is the question most definitely asked by any leader who starts playing with a new band, who starts playing new material, which - if it passes the acid test - can be materialised on a new record.      The new Wojciech Staroniewicz's quartet is an attempt to combine these opposites, an attempt to organise them with young musicians whose play represents a clash between firmness and gentleness, order and chaos, energy and calm, not necessarily in separation from each other.      There is definitely more space in this music than there was in Staroniewicz's previous project. The pieces are not so precisely organised, parts played by individual musicians do not mesh so closely as before. There is a breath, a moment to look beyond the hermetic world of music, even if we think we sit tightly enclosed in it.

Wojciech Staroniewicz      "The most melodious Polish sax player". He has played on the major stages of Jazz Jamboree and the Warsaw Summer Jazz Days supporting the concerts by Kenny Garrett, Chick Corea and David Sanchez. He is the only Polish saxophonist to have qualified for the semi-finals of the International Jazz Improvisation Competition in Washington, DC.      He plays on many European stages as a leader or side man. He participates in Wojciech Nahorny's project Polish Fantasy, has collaborated with the Norwegian-Polish band Loud Jazz Band for many years. He carries out a joint project with the Norwegian pianist Helge Lien.      In the recent years he has given solo concerts with Wojciech Rajski's Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra. Also as a soloist, he plays in the concert celebrating 100 years of Sopot "The Four Seasons-The Spring". In the concert, he performs a piece for chamber orchestra and a jazz band of his own authorship. He plays solo improvisations in "Porgy and Bess" and "The Witness" directed by Ryszard Ronczewski.       Staroniewicz was nominated for the Mayor of Sopot Award "The Sopot Muse 2001". He is the author of such projects as: "Karambola", "Quiet City", "Hand-made" and "Conversession".

Sławomir Jaskułke      Graduated from the Feliks Nowowiejski Secondary Music School in Gdansk. The jazz community heard about him for the first time during the 5th Competition of Jazz Standards in Siedlce. In 2001 and 2002 he took the the first place in the Jazz Top ranking of the "Jazz Forum" magazine in the category "Hope of the Year".      Being the leader of his own trio, he has given concerts in Europe, South America, Africa, Israel and the USA. He collaborates on a permanent basis with Zbigniew Namysłowski. His quintet's concert at the 44th JVC Jazz Jamboree has been considered the best performance of the festival.      Jaskułke has collaborated with foreign jazzmen, such as David Murray, David Fiuczynski and Erik Vloeimans. Composing music for theatre plays ("Garbaty Anioł Porno" staged at the Teatr Wybrzeże) or silent cinema masterpieces ("The Wind", "Joanna D'Arc") is an important part of his activities. He has also composed music for the Gdańsk-Bremen Jazz Bridge project and in 2006 he represented Poland at the Music Beyond Borders festival in Hong Kong. Michał Barański      Born in 1984, graduated from the Jazz Department of the Academy of Music in Katowice. Already as a 14-year-old he was noticed at the music workshop by the American clarinet player Brad Terry. Together with the pianist Mateusz Kołakowski and the drum player Tomasz Torres, they joined Terry's quartet giving numerous concerts in the US and acquiring urbanity at the source of jazz.      Laureate of Grand Prix, which he was awarded at the 40th festival Jazz Nad Odrą in the band category. In 2005 he was awarded "The Jazz Angel" at the Bielska Zadymka Jazzowa. He also won the main prize "The Swinging Raven" at the 3rd Hot Jazz Spring in Częstochowa. Together with Trilogy (Mateusz Kołakowski on the piano, Tomasz Torres on the drums) he took the 4th place at the International Competition of Jazz Bands "Jazz Hoeliaart" in Belgium.      He has performed at the Knitting Factory in New York, Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles, Vail Jazz Festival in Colorado, Berklee Performance Center in Boston. He collaborates with American and Polish jazzmen: Roger Kellaway, William Galison, Zbigniew Namysłowski, Piotr Baron, Janusz Muniak, Grzegorz Nagórski, Joachim Mencel, Maciej Sikała, Jose Torres, Aga Zaryan, Mieczysław Szcześniak and with the rock band Mate.o, Natalia Niemen, New Life M and the gospel choir "Trzecia Godzina Dnia". > Michał Barański's webpage < Hubert Zemler      Graduated from the Academy of Music in the class of percussion instruments. As a classical drummer he has played with the Grand Symphony Orchestra of Warsaw Academy of Music, Sinfonia Varsovia, Polish Radio Orchestra, National Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Jerzy Maksymiuk, Elmer Bernstein, Jacek Kasprzyk and Jan Krenz.      As a jazz musician he is the laureate of numerous individual and group prizes at such competitions as "Jazz nad Odrą" in Wrocław (1999, the band Galazy), Jazz Juniors in Kraków (2000, Wojciech Pulcyn's New Orchestra; 2001, Jan Smoczyński's trio), competition of Sax Club jazz bands in Gdynia (2000, in Jacek Namysłowski's quintet). Together with Mukatam Quartet he has played in Syria, Jordan, Egipt and Lebanon.      He records and plays concerts in Poland and abroad in various jazz projects with such musicians as Wojciech Staroniewicz, the Norwegian pianist Helge Lien, with Adam Pierończyk, Dominik Bukowski, Łukasz Poprawski, Jacek Namysłowski. As a timbalero he is part of the international salsa orchestra Reia Ceballo - Calle Sol. www.callesol.pl www.adampieronczyk.com www.callesol.pl www.ritmodella.pl

"CONVERSESSION"

Wojciech Staroniewicz "The most melodious of Polish saxophonists" performed on the main stages of Jazz Jamboree and Warsaw Summer Days, supporting concerts by Kenny Garett, Chick Corea and David Sanchez. He plays as sideman in many bands, such as Wlodzimierz Nahorny (project entitled "Polish Fantasy") and Norwegian-Polish group "Loud Jazz Band". He is the only Polish saxophonist to have been qualified for semi-finals of the International Jazz Improvisation Competition in Washington D.C. As a soloist, he collaborates with the Polish Chamber Philharmonic - Sopot. Above all, he is an author of interesting musical projects: "Karambola", "Quiet City" and "Hand-made".

Piotr Lemańczyk Bassist and composer who numbers among the team of leading Polish jazz musicians of the young generation. The leader of "Orange Trane" band, the author of the "Follow The Soul" and "Freep" project. So far in his career, he's had a pleasure to work with such outstanding leaders as: Janusz Muniak, Tomasz Szukalski, Piotr Wojtasik, Maciej Sikała, Emil Kowalski, Sławomir Jaskułke, Piotr Baron, Jakob Dinesen.

Brian Melvin (USA) Brian Melvin is an internationally known drummer/percussionist/educator. He has played and recorded with many of the worlds leading musicians. Not limited by styles, he's worked with the late Joe Henderson, Mike Stern, John Scofield, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker,Bob Weir ("The Grateful Dead"), Greg Allman ("The Allman Brothers Band") and many more. One of his main associations has been with the Hall of Fame bassist Jaco Pastorius. They were good friends and made five historic recordings together. One of their most famous was "Standards Zone" (Global Pacific Records,) which was the no. 1 jazz album for 15 weeks. Currently Beatlejazz has been in the top ten on their first three releases as well. Having lived in New York and Europe, he is no stranger to the international jazz scene. Brian lived and played in New York a few different times, starting in 1987. At that period he was the house drummer at the Blue Note jazz club after hours sessions, along with playing in the Mike Stern trio for two years at the famous 55 bar.It was also during this period where Brian and Dave Kikoski started their long musical and personal friendship,which continues currently in Beatlejazz.In 1998-99 he shared living quarters with Al Foster and played all over New York, and the east coast. Recently Brian has been involved in many great projects, including Beatlejazz, Fog, Geografix, and many European projects as well. Also a resident of Tallinn, Estonia, Brian has been teaching workshops and masterclasses all over Europe as well as playing in numerous musical settings. He is very active in world music and has been playing tablas and various hand drums along with electric percussion.   www.brianmelvin.com On the second day of Krokus Jazz Festival, the audience was anxiously awaiting the evening's stars performance and calling the artists onstage with clapping. The insignificant delay, caused by the difficulties on the route Sopot - Jelenia Góra, was made up for by the musicians with an unforgettable concert.   The artists performed their solos with an outstanding virtuosity. Rhythms played by the leading Polish bassist, Piotr Lemańczyk, were greeted with thunderous applause. The saxophonist, Wojciech Staroniewicz, could enjoy shouts of delight and praise from the cheering audience. Still, it was the brilliant performance of the New York drummer, Brian Melvin, which caused a burst of the greatest enthusiasm. "The American is amazing, he doesn't just beat the rhythm, but he plays the music. There are few drummers who have mastered their skill with such perfection," said Mariusz, one of the Jazz fans, after the concert. The band, despite being tired, eagerly came back onstage for an encore twice, thank to which the audience could watch their fantastic harmony and listen to the breathtaking instrumental improvisations. Let's hope the future will bless us with more as fabulous concerts. from: http://www.jelonka.com, text: Renata   photo: Maciej Staroniewicz

Wojciech Staroniewicz - saxophones
Cezary Paciorek - accordion
Maciej Grzywacz - guitar
Piotr Lemańczyk - bass
Tomasz Sowiński - drums

Hand-made is one of the latest projects of Wojciech Staroniewicz, a well-known saxophonist and composer, who has been playing in front of audiences for over 20 years. Being the most melodious Polish saxophone player, Wojtek has performed on the main stages at of Jazz Jamboree, Warsaw Summer Jazz Days and Gdynia Summer Jazz Days - the same stages where Kenny Garrett, Chick Corea and David Sanchez also performed. Wojtek Staroniewicz was the only Polish sax player to have gone as far as to the semifinals of the International Jazz Improvisation Competition in Washington, D.C. in 1991. His band plays contemporary jazz in which one can trace the influences of club music, funk, drum'n'bass as well as the contemporary mainstream. The formation of this group is unusual because apart from the saxophone, the guitar and a rhythm unit, there is also an accordion. Cezary Paciorek, who plays this instrument, is a master on a world scale. The freshness and fluency of the guitar improvisations by Maciej Grzywacz as well as the great energy and timing of Lemańczyk - Sowiński, one of the best rhythm section tandems on the scene, are well known to the Polish jazz fans.

"What we have here is a completely modern masterpiece rather than a recording that could have been done 10-20 years ago, which is the norm in the Polish jazz, but has been done now due to the pure delay of our community with respect to New York or London."

Tomasz Rozwadowski - Dziennik Bałtycki

"- meanwhile Staroniewicz together with Paciorek, Grzywacz, Lemańczyk and Sowiński has made an exquisite record. Unquestionably the best record in his career, full of ideas, energy, mood alterations; one that derives inspiration from both tradition and the present day of jazz."

Jarosław Kurek - Kuryer Sopocki

"His quintet plays music which is a mixture of technical proficiency straight from the 1980s and the singing of Komeda supported by the sound of the accordion. The result is rather interesting especially since the compositions further emphasise the capacities of the individual musicians. The saxophone played by Staroniewicz gives off his own characteristic tone associated with the 1960s, which corresponds in an interesting manner with the selected stylistics."

Grzegorz Mucha - Diapazon

"...The compositions in themselves determine the mood of the album and the impressions perceived. They sound very modern as well as being quite nice to listen to. They are not 'oversophisticated'. These positive impressions are further enhanced by very interesting arrangements and original sound achieved by the band."
"...Wojciech Staroniwicz's performance of both the themes and the solo parts gives an impression of high maturity. You will not find 'fireworks' and self-intoxication with his own technique. What you will find here, however, is a masterly building up of the mood and a perfect phrasing. This is a very gallant, intellectual performance."

Michał Walczuk - Informator Kulturalny Stolicy

"One must admit that the band has many assets, one of them being the very band leader's class, who freely moves around the various areas of jazz. While approaching the jazz standards with commitment and temperament, he manages to bring out all the shades and nuances contained in such pieces of his own authorship as "The Screwdriver Dance" or "Next Door".

Monika Malessa-Drohomirecka - Kuryer Sopocki

"Yet another album with pieces written and performed by Wojciech Staroniewicz, with the first one being "Karambola", and another fascinating jazz set. Right from the beginning to the end, a collection of intriguing compositions and well-thought-out arrangements with a tinge of the musical madness outstandingly performed."

Krzysztof Kuczkowski - Gitara i Bas + Bębny, 1/2003

- a clear, distinct and surprising acoustic jazz and a rather untypical set of instruments. Most of the music were their own compositions, though there were also standards and quite a lot of improvisation. This seems to be the strongest asset of Hand-made."

Głos Wybrzeża

"Karambola"

Wojciech Staroniewicz - tenor and soprano saxophones
Robert Majewski - trumpet, flugelhorn
Grzegorz Nagórski - trombone
Cezary Paciorek - piano
Olgierd Walicki - bass
Cezary Konrad - drums
Nippy Noya - congas and miscellaneous percussions

Music played by Staroniewicz represents the healthy contemporary jazz, firmly anchored partly in Coltrane and partly in the finest traditions of The Messengers, without a doubt belonging to the Tricity school, which school for years now has been arousing admiration and awe among the members of our society. It is the same school which is associated most of all with Leszek Możdżer's sextet, a school which has grown substantially to place into its orbit many musicians originating from other parts of the world. This school should not however be viewed as just another schism, but as one being founded on universal jazz values. The only thing it rejects a priori is any kind of routine...

Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski.

What impresses in the music played by Staroniewicz's band is the peace, some incomprehensible contemplation of time. Having rid themselves of haste, the musicians talk to the audience slowly, so that all they have to say is understood the way it was intended to. The leader allows as many choruses as is necessary for the communication to take place, while the musicians themselves do not abuse his favour. A musical nobility.

Piotr Iwicki - Jazz a`go-go.

Wojtek Staroniewicz... an instrumentally perfect musician, emotionally mature, flawlessly combines in his play the Yang of Coltrane and the Ying of West Coast musicians. His soprano sax sometimes sounds almost exactly like Candless's oboe.

Grzegorz Tusiewicz - Onet Jazz.

"Quiet City"

Wojciech Staroniewicz - tenor and soprano saxophones
Andrzej Jagodziński - piano
Adam Cegielski - bass
Cezary Konrad - drums

"Quiet City" is a purely acoustic production that presents us with a Staroniewicz we don't know very well. The artist plays himself entirely here and performing only his own compositions, starting from harsh, uncompromising, modern jazz to romantic, sincere and real-life ballads. Beautiful. Especially the latter ones bring to mind the climate of Krzysztof Komeda's pieces, which had that power of being and lasting. It may well be that they owed it to its musicality, or was it perhaps Komeda's musicality. Exactly... Things are very much the same with Wojtek. His characteristic pieces, with a tinge of that Slavic melodics, easily catch everyone's ear although, believe me, they are far from being simple or banal. You can just keep on listening to them over and over again and each time discover something new.

Paweł Smoliński - Jazz magazine

Włodzimierz Nahorny
"Polish Fantasy"