Krzysia Górniak String Orchestra

A Lady with a Guitar Is a Perfect Match for Jazz*

I like surprises like this. I take an issue of Jazz Forum out of my mailbox, open it… and there it is—as usual—a CD. Well, in the flood of various giveaways I tend to keep a healthy distance from such things (JF excluded), but this time my expectations were met with sweetness, with the honey of beautiful phrases—played as moodily as they are skillfully.

To set the mood, let me give the floor to the project’s leader herself:

“I present to you new versions of my compositions arranged for a jazz guitar trio accompanied by a chamber string orchestra. The selection of pieces reflects my personal taste and holds deep meaning for me—it tells a story about different stages of my life, about the passage of time and the search for the meaning of existence. An important element of this process is improvisation: as I immerse myself in the rich colors and dynamics of such an expanded ensemble, the personal self—the ego—fades away in the act of creation. This album is, for me, a summary of thirty years of artistic work—as both a guitarist and a composer.”

Sounds good, right? Let me add that Krzysia doesn’t throw names around lightly when she mentions her idols in interviews. It’s not a slogan—it’s her credo, her way of measuring herself against the very best. And I’ll admit this: if one of her masters had recorded this album, no one would question its quality. The thing is, Krzysia operates in a highly competitive (supply-driven) and rather hermetic market. From a U.S. perspective, she would probably already be a global star. Why? Because she’s a truly outstanding artist!

And what do the closing credits look like?

Tracks:

1. Meditation (7:29)
2. Sea Salt On My Lips (6:15)
3. Talking Rain (6:47)
4. Moments (6:28)
5. The Storm Is Looming Ahead
6. Strawberry Kisses (6:09)
7. Spring (6:50)
8. Friendship (5:21)
9. Emotions (6:14)

Performers:
Krzysia Górniak – guitar
Michał Jaros – double bass
Marcin Jahr – drums
Malwina Hendzel – violin
Małgorzata Kucharek – violin
Jagienka Jaskólska – viola
Zuzanna Konstantynowicz – cello

Yes—do listen to this music. There is love for music in it, care for jazz and for the listener. These are not acrobatic clichés, but an original, intimate world created by Krzysia Górniak. And she invites us into it, opening the door wide and letting in a fresh spring breeze (with the inevitable rays of sunshine).

Bravo!

Piotr Iwicki

*The word “pair” should be understood in two ways: as a dual phenomenon (guitar + jazz), but also as a driving force—if we treat jazz as a mechanism powered by the volatile form of H₂O.

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