T – U – V

All artists filed by last name under T, U and V :

Agnieszka Skrzypek aka Aga Zaryan | My Lullaby | Not Two Records

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Aga Zaryan (born Agnieszka Skrzypek on January 17, 1976) is an internationally recognized jazz vocalist of the new generation.

Though (in jazz terms) young, her tone and delivery carry the hallmarks of classical jazz for a modern audience and as such is part of a new wave of Polish jazz artists recognised on the international scene. She is known for her distinctive style and intimate approach to singing, with a characteristic lightness of phrasing and warm, slightly matte-toned voice. Her performances are reminiscent of such female jazz vocalists as Shirley Horn, Carmen McRae and Joni Mitchell. This year Aga Zaryan was signed to Blue Note records to join such names as such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Dianne Reeves, she is also the first Polish artist ever to release albums on Blue Note Records. Zaryan has been successful in integrating ambitious artistic goals with popular appeal, recording eight albums to date, all of which have earned gold, platinum or multi-platinum status. In 2008 she was honored with the Polish recording industry’s most prestigious prize – the Fryderyk Award. She was nominated for the title of Woman of The Year 2008 by Gazeta Wyborcza, one of Poland’s most widely circulated newspapers. Aga was also named Jazz Vocalist of The Year in the European Jazz Forum’s yearly Jazz Top readers’ poll consecutively from 2007 through 2013. She has an active performance and recording schedule. Continue reading →

Interzone Jazzorchestra | Transylvanian Grace | Not Two Records

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The music on this album wants to reflect the great musical heritage of Romanian and especially Transylvanian folklore. The traditional songs are taken from the “Lautari” and vilagers’ repertoire, which you can still hear on weedings celebrations and in the village bars around the Carpathians The original compositions are written under the strong sensual impressions of our mutual trips through the Transylvanian highlands in the years 1997-2000. Enjoy the Music! — Maurice de Martin & Mircea Tiberian Continue reading →

Cezariusz Gadzina Trio | Double Heart | Not Two Records

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Cezariusz Gadzina is one of the most interesting and creative Polish musicians of his generation. He has been living in Belgium for some years now, where he is a highly esteemed musician, not only on the jazz scene but also in the world of contemporary music. He belongs to an exclusive group of alto saxophone virtuosos who can be traced directly back to the phenomenal Ornette Coleman. He has a distinctive, expressive and refined sound which, together with his original conception of playing, makes his saxophone sing with a lyrical bluesy feel. He uses his brilliant technical capabilities with restraint, and only when the music requires it, which is a feature of the greatest giants of improvisation. “Double Heart” is a generous portion of wonderful jazz in its purest form: beautiful varied compositions, charming in their clarity and melodic content, and a clear acoustic sound, combined with an outstanding – but not overstated – rhythm section. The logic and compact styles of the pieces, the clear expression and the positive vibrations make “Double Heart” one of the best jazz CDs I have heard lately. This music shatters any doubts about the future and evolution of jazz. — Jarek Smietana Continue reading →

Oleś | Mahall | Tiberian | Oleś | Contemporary Quartet | Not Two Records

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We give you a CD that is a product of our thoughts, fascinations, and several months’ hard work. The material included on it is a selection of compositions by Polish 20th-century contemporary composers, from the early post-war years up to the present hence the names Grazyna Bacewicz, Stefan Kisieleswski, Marzena Komsta, Witold Lutoslawski, and Krzysztof Penderecki show up here, as do pieces from various periods of their creativity. The choice of these, as opposed to other compositions was influenced in equal measure by our tastes/our bent towards chamber, music, as well as prosaic factors such as availabilifty of scores. All compositions on the CD used what is known as classical notation, which was our choice. We applied available contemporary compositional techniques, however, in the construction, or definition, of the form of improvisation. Despite the fact that our primary inspiration was that of the themes of the original compositions, it was in the forms of the respective pieces that we sought variation, while maintaining an affinity with 20th-century contemporary music. Thanks to the fact that it was possible to invite such outstanding improvisers as Rudi Mahall and Mircea Tiberian to participate, we were largely successful in achieving this. — Marcin & Bartlomiej “Brat” Oles Continue reading →

Jacek Kochan | Another Blowfish | Not Two Records

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The dexterous Wojtasik is a relaxed and thoughtful improviser who seems more comfortable in the midrange of his horn. The equally articulate Vloeimans has a more piercing sound, and he’s more into using mutes as part of his bag of tricks. By mixing tempos and rhythmic feels while exploiting the contrasting sounds of Vloeimans and Wojtasik, the set maintains interst throughout. Donato, with a huge and round sound, is like a rock, the solid core of the performances. Kochan is more laid-back then usual, urgent as ever but leaving most of the solo space to the horns. The yaunty “Do You Really Need All This Money” is one of the highlights, as Vloeimans and Wojtasik go at it head to head. Truth is that there’s barely a dull moment on this disc. Come for the novelty of the lineup, but stay for the fine music. — Stuart Kremsky (Cadence) Continue reading →

John Tritica Reads | Vox Audio

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John Tritica is the co-founder, with Mary Rising Higgins, of L)Edge, a poetry circle now in its 22nd year in Albuquerque, NM. He is the translator of the Swedish poet Niklas Törnlund : All Things Measure Time (The Landlocked Press, 1992). His book How Rain Records Its Alphabet was published in 1998. Sound Remains will appear later this year from Chax Press. He teaches gifted youngsters at Wilson Middle School & engages in backyard farming & soirees. Continue reading →

Nathaniel Tarn Reads at Acequia Booksellers | Vox Audio

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The reading took place on September 7, 2008 at Acequia Booksellers, 4019 Fourth St. NW, Albuquerque, NM, with the exception of the last poem, recorded in Magdalena, NM October 5, 2008. Nathaniel’s most recent book are Selected Poems, 1950-2000 (Wesleyan 2002) and Ins and Outs of the Forest Rivers (New Directions 2008). Copyright 2009 Nathaniel Tarn and Vox Audio, PO Box 594 Magdalena NM 87825. Photo by Janet Rodney. Continue reading →