Andrzej Trzaskowski Sextet feat. Ted Curson - Seant (1966)

Andrzej Trzaskowski was one of the most important figures of Polish jazz, not only in the beginning, but he continued with its development right up until his death in 1998. One of the directions Trzaskowski ventured into within the Polish jazz scene was his own concept of Free Jazz. The most important period of his career was during the 60s, when he was most active as a composer, pianist and director of bands, and his outstanding talent, versatility and innovative concepts were recognized in his country, Europe and America. The breakthrough in his musical thinking came in 1963. By this time his compositions were predominately in hard bop style, then considering that the opportunities for this music were exhausted he developed sound languages radicalising his vision of Free Jazz. During this period Trzaskowski formed a quintet (with Tomasz Stanko, Janusz Muniak, Jacek Ostaszewski, Adam Jedrzejowski), which in 1965 grew into a sextet (Vladimir joined Nahorny and Ted Curson replaced Stanko). This album "Seant" is the result of that collaboration. The music contained on this LP consists of four tunes, the last of which takes up the whole of side 2. Trzaskowski creates tunes with the implementation of a closed composition in an open process. The musical pieces become based on determinants, points of departure, certain rhythmic and harmonic structure-color, which in turn contain instructions for improvisation of individual instruments. As a result there are lots of improvisations perfectly timed and in proportion to the elements of the compositions. This brings about added tension that creates a more dynamic interplay between the musicians enhancing the delivery the tunes. Ted Curson's playing is full of fire and right at home with Trzaskowski's compositions, Enjoy! ~ Extracts translated from biography by Peter Królikowski

Muza, XL 0378, 1966

Recorded Dec. 1965 and Dec. 1966 in National Philharmonic Hall, Warsaw

Personnel:

Andrzej Trzaskowski - Piano

Ted Curson - Trumpet

Wlodzimierz Nahorny - Alto Saxophone

Janusz Muniak - Soprano Saxophone

Jacek Ostaszewski - Bass

Adam Jedrzejowski - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. Seant (9:58)

A2. Wariacja Na Temat “Oj, Tam U Boru” (6:37)

A3. The Quibble (7:58]

B. Cosinusoida (24:45)

All Compositions written by Andrzej Trzaskowski

#2 - Variation On The Theme “Near The Forest”

Credits:

Recording Director - Antoni Karuzas

Recording Engineer - Janusz Pollo