Considering that the Polish jazz scene is only eight years old (prior to 1956 the authorities ruled it as immoral or something) this record is a miracle of the most sensational kind. For to have produced such gifted, professional musicians, playing advanced music, in so short a space of time is almost unbelievable.
Not only are Namyslowski and his men confident improvisors, they also emerge as distinctly original composers who have drawn from the folk music roots of their own country for inspiration. The leader, an alto saxophonist in a Coltrane bag, sounds completely assured with any tempo or time signature. And on the pleasing ballad Ludwig offers another view of himself, a sort of modern Johnny Hodges. He writes and plays the blues (Shmues) like an American contemporary.
Pianist Wlodzimierz Gulgowski, a slick technician, who knows his Wynton Kelly, makes a lustrous second solo voice in a well integrated quartet. Tadeusz Wojcik (bass) and Czeslaw Bartkowski (drums) maintain a high standard of musicianship. At 25, Namyslowski is the oldest! The titles may be quaint – Beautiful Lola, Flower Of The North and The Caretaker, The Most Important Man are the translations of two – but the actual performances are hip, thoughtful and swinging.
Decca should be congratulated on recording the group during their visit to Britain last August. I regret being unable to experience Zbigniew Namyslowski’s Modern Jazz Quartet then – in person.
Discography
Piekna Lola, Kwiat Polnocy; Leszek I Ludwig; Piatawka; Blues Shmues (22½ min) – Rozpacz, Tkotkonitkotho; Wozy – Najwazniejszy; Old Man River (23½ min)
Zbigniew Namyslowski (alt); Wlodzimierz Gulgowski (p); Tadeusz Wojcik (bs); Czeslaw Bartkowski (d). London, August, 1964.
(Decca SKL 4644 12inLP 32s.)