Michal Martyniuk is a Polish born composer, pianist and keyboardist that is now based in New Zealand. He has created a jazz sound that is fresh and has elements of both Americans jazz and European jazz (with influences of classical music). Martyniuk has released a debut album titled, Nothing To Prove. The album was recorded at Poland’s Cavatina Studios and features: Jakub Skowronski on saxophones, Kuba Mizeracki on guitar, Bartek Chojnacki on double bass and Kuba Gubz on drums. Special guest include: ex Grover Washington/Patti Labelle percussionist Miguel Fuentes and vocalist Tama Waipara. The album contains eight tracks, which are all Martyniuk originals. His compositional style embodies the evolution of the music genre, both the written material and the improvised playing is stirring and reflects the passion and technical abilities of the next generation of jazz musicians. That’s the short of it!
Positives:
Outstanding compositions that use interesting forms, time signatures, harmonies and melodies combined with excellent playing by Martyniuk and his fellow musicians. Martyniuk’s technique is on full display, his use to colorizations and dynamics is top-shelf.
Bottom Line:
Michal Martyniuk has a rich sound tapestry of original compositions on Nothing To Prove that exemplify the unique exhilaration that can be achieved when characteristics of contemporary American and European jazz traditions are combined with such elegance and focused control. The ensemble is remarkable in their ability to create a sound that flows through time to make a meaningful musical statement. All guided by Martyniuk’s fresh compositional style, this is an excellent debut from a fine Polish composer and performer.