Record Reviews

WITOLD JANIAK ~ TRZEJ KROLOWIE NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2025 Released: 2025 This is an album by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Witold JaniakFind albums by this artist, who plays the Hammond organ on this album, recorded in a trio setting with saxophonist Sajmon BonkowskiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Szymon BonkowskiFind albums by this artist) and drummer Kacper KazmierskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, six of which are original compositions by Janiak and one is Polish Jazz standard by Krzysztof KomedaFind albums by this artist. The music is standard mainstream Jazz, with its only point of interest being the use of the Hammond organ, which is sadly a rarely used instruments these days and is one of my favorite instruments. This seems to be the first time Janiak concentrates on the Hammond organ, since on his numerous earlier recordings he plays mostly piano. As a result, his performance on the organ is not really up to par with dedicated organists, and the saxophone is the central soloists on this album, and does an impressive job, with the organ being mostly somewhat ornamental. The energetic drumming by Kazmierski keeps the music flow moving resolutely. The compositions are solid and even interesting, but the organ trio is perhaps not the ideal musical environment for them, a matter of taste I suppose. Overall, this is a somewhat weird album, dominated by the organ sound, but not really in the nature of organ albums, like those by Brian AugerFind albums by this artist or Jazz organ players like Jimmy SmithFind albums by this artist, or Polish Jazz Masters like Wojciech KarolakFind albums by this artist, Krzysztof SadowskiFind albums by this artist or Kajetan GalasFind albums by this artist. Still, the sound of the Hammond organ is irresistible to my ears, so I rather enjoyed the music, after all.

Updated: 08/04/2026Posted: 08/04/2026

CD 1 Digisleeve Recommend To A Friend