TOMASZ STAŃKO — Leosia (review)

Album · 1997 · Post Bop

4.5/5 · 2014-12-28
Matt

Sublime music was created in January 1996 during the recording of “Leosia” by The Tomasz Stanko Quartet which comprised Tomasz Stanko on trumpet with Bobo Stenson, piano, Anders Jormin, bass and an absolute stunning display from the drummer Tony Oxley on this beautiful slow to mid tempo album with a myriad of Jazz influences from different styles played in a subtle manner throughout.

Tomasz Stanko has been playing since the early 1960’s and is best remembered during this period playing with the great Polish pianist and composer Krzysztof Komeda which has given Tomasz the grounding from which his Jazz emanates with “Leosia” having echoes from the Komeda collaborations back during this early period in Tomasz’s career. Miles Davis is the major influence within the tone that Tomasz brings forth from his trumpet being a beautiful low one which is superbly used throughout the album’s duration. Bobo Stenson is another musician with credentials as long as his arm and a band leader in his own right and it would be no surprise to see him in those top ten lists for pianists. Anders Jormin on bass is actually a member from Bobo Stenson’s Trio bringing a wonderful connectivity to the music within “Leosia”. Connectivity is also present with Tomasz and Tony Oxley as both at times played with Cecil Taylor bringing a slight Avante Garde touch within this album’s compositions and interruptions. Tony Oxley on drums gives us a master class with his minimal backing and different approaches for the Quartet with his sticks and brushes but it is when he uses his hands and just sounds that he obtains with even using the metal on the kit and not the skins.

“Morning Heavy Song” is the album’s first composition and is a beautifully played ballad with Tomasz’s low tone in a sparse stretched manner with a dream like quality with Bobo Stenson’s piano following Tomasz but it is the trumpet which takes the majority of play throughout on this Stanko composition. Tony Oxley’s drums opens the next “Die Weishert von Le Comte Lautremont” with a much higher note played by Tomasz for this composition with a near frenzy at the end of his solo which is followed by Bobo Stenson’s beautiful piano input but listen to Tony Oxley doing what he does with a minimal method within his drumming. “A Farewell To Maria” was a film where Tomasz Stanko wrote the score and is another of those sparse ballads with Andres Jormin providing a superb subtle bass solo. “Brace” is an Oxley/ Jormin composition with just Tony’s drums and Ander’s bass present which brings that Avante Garde dimension to within the album as with the opening on the following number “Trinity” with just Bobo Stenson’s piano and the rhythm section present on this contemplative but never boring composition. This is where the album’s magic lays with Tomasz not being present on all numbers which keeps it all lovely and variable helping to maintain interest in this superbly created modern Jazz album. Still things keep getting better actually with a quick mid tempo and some brilliant high points form Tomasz’s trumpet following on “Forlorn Walk” but “Hungry Howl’ for me is the album’s delight and the sound of metal scrapping at times (cymbals most likely) from Tony’s kit brings a stark feel to within this stunning composition with a simply gorgeous input from Bobo Stenson’s piano. “No Bass Trio” is precisely what the title implies and Tony is doing that scrap off and on here as well, “Eurofilla” and the beautiful title number “Leosia” finishes up this highly original album.

Extremely highly recommended, needs a few plays but like all high quality music it just keeps getting better with every repetition. Of all his ECM output “Leosia” is the special one and for Tomasz’s next project “Litania” he covers his mentor’s music Krzysztof Komeda. Which was recorded the same year as” Leosia’s” release in 1997. Another highly recommended album is “From The Green Hill” released after “Litania” in 1999 with the piano dropped and Dino Saluzzi’s bandeneon used in its stead. All are on ECM Records.