Memento (Polish Jazz Vol 81)

The MEMENTO of the title is a reminder of a certain artistic journey, mapped out by RGG’s experiences resulting from contact with the expressive styles of the European artists who have collaborated with the trio, from the CD “Aura†to albums recorded with Evan Parker and Trevor Watts, Verneri Pohjola, and Samuel Blaser. Of special importance was also the two-year-long cooperation with Tomasz StaÅ„ko, likewise reflected on this album. The piece, “Hombre con sombreroâ€, recalls the person and music of Tomasz StaÅ„ko (“it’s strongly inspired by StaÅ„ko’s compositions and his taste in harmony.â€)

Founded in 2001 it has consisted since 2013 of Åukasz Ojdana (piano), Maciej Garbowski (double bass), and Krzysztof Gradziuk (drums). All the three are graduates of the Institute of Jazz, Academy of Music in Katowice. They all have considerable experience and achievements confirmed by awards, distinctions and scholarships. Their interests extend far beyond jazz and even beyond music, and they have a rare awareness of what they do and aim at. They work not just in the field of jazz, but in that of contemporary improvised music at large, one of a distinctly European character. What is this supposed to mean? The traditions of mainstream jazz, based on timing and jazz standards, are still historically important in this case, but cannot be endlessly copied and developed, because it is a genre in which nearly everything has already been said. The European (also Polish) tradition since more or less the mid-20th century, seems to be much closer to the members of RGG, especially so since it is still only occasionally explored by improvisers.