Bartosz Hadala Group

Is Jazz a universal music or what? Polish pianist (NYC-based for the last six years) Bartosz Hadala is living proof. The young award-winning piano prodigy left his native Poland for Berklee and later Western Michigan University before pursuing his dream in the Big Apple. That he is succeeding is underlined by the fact that highly acclaimed drummer Antonio Sanchez backs up Hadala, while veteran trumpeter Randy Brecker also appears on this debut album. And the album is truly a knockout. Songs like the opening "Salt Water," "The One Call Behind," "Another You" and the jittery "The B Files" simply bristle with exuberant energy and enthralling musical twists and turns. And wait until you hear the incredible version of "A Night in Tunisia" (the only cover) – which is the coolest reworking of that oft-played tune I think I have heard. The odd time signatures and fine soprano work by Rovatti on the opening of the ever-changing nine-minute "Stevie Wonders Why" make you think that prog rockers Gentle Giant met Tower of Power at a jam held at Wayne Shorter's house. This is high-energy music - Hadala only slows it down on the unsentimental ballad "Madame" - seven songs into the album, but it is a nice change of pace and an electric undercurrent even seeps through on this piece (a nice change from the overload of somber and soggy music that often passes my desk these days). After this lovely interlude, the musical Viagra kicks back in on the burning title track, followed by the lighthearted "A Sunday Walk" (with percussionist Kevin Garcia), before the band simply burns down the house with the ending hard-bopper "Any Way." Bassists Dave Anderson on incendiary electric, and Noriko Ueda on acoustic match their leader in potency and combine with Sanchez to create some serious undertow -while also pitching in with intense solos. Saxophonist Ada Rovatti adds tough lines over the ever-shifting musical landscapes. Sanchez is one of the finest up-and-coming drummers in the business - and his work here is exemplary, while Brecker's appearances on "The B Files," "Stevie Wonders Why" and "Any Way" add another layer of edginess to this already heart-racing presentation. But it is Hadala's inventiveness on the piano that is the key (so to speak) to these strong compositions. With a somewhat Pilc-lke melodic touch and a Monk-on-steroids rhythm feel, Hadala consistently surprises with his unique directions. And I think he is on to something here. By taking Monk-like rhythms and intervals and pumping them up with speed, multiple changes and major funkage, he has discovered a new direction for the music.- kind of like what innovative bassist Flea did with the Red Hot Chili Peppers - when he took funky Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham-type bass parts and played them at punk speed and with punk attitude and by doing so changed everything the musical landscape forever. The debut of the year so far - a star has arrived. - Brad Walseth

Is Jazz a universal music or what? Polish pianist (NYC-based for the last six years) Bartosz Hadala is living proof. The young award-winning piano prodigy left his native Poland for Berklee and later Western Michigan University before pursuing his dream in the Big Apple. That he is succeeding is underlined by the fact that highly acclaimed drummer Antonio Sanchez backs up Hadala, while veteran trumpeter Randy Brecker also appears on this debut album. And the album is truly a knockout. Songs like the opening "Salt Water," "The One Call Behind," "Another You" and the jittery "The B Files" simply bristle with exuberant energy and enthralling musical twists and turns. And wait until you hear the incredible version of "A Night in Tunisia" (the only cover) – which is the coolest reworking of that oft-played tune I think I have heard. The odd time signatures and fine soprano work by Rovatti on the opening of the ever-changing nine-minute "Stevie Wonders Why" make you think that prog rockers Gentle Giant met Tower of Power at a jam held at Wayne Shorter's house. This is high-energy music - Hadala only slows it down on the unsentimental ballad "Madame" - seven songs into the album, but it is a nice change of pace and an electric undercurrent even seeps through on this piece (a nice change from the overload of somber and soggy music that often passes my desk these days). After this lovely interlude, the musical Viagra kicks back in on the burning title track, followed by the lighthearted "A Sunday Walk" (with percussionist Kevin Garcia), before the band simply burns down the house with the ending hard-bopper "Any Way." Bassists Dave Anderson on incendiary electric, and Noriko Ueda on acoustic match their leader in potency and combine with Sanchez to create some serious undertow -while also pitching in with intense solos. Saxophonist Ada Rovatti adds tough lines over the ever-shifting musical landscapes. Sanchez is one of the finest up-and-coming drummers in the business - and his work here is exemplary, while Brecker's appearances on "The B Files," "Stevie Wonders Why" and "Any Way" add another layer of edginess to this already heart-racing presentation. But it is Hadala's inventiveness on the piano that is the key (so to speak) to these strong compositions. With a somewhat Pilc-lke melodic touch and a Monk-on-steroids rhythm feel, Hadala consistently surprises with his unique directions. And I think he is on to something here. By taking Monk-like rhythms and intervals and pumping them up with speed, multiple changes and major funkage, he has discovered a new direction for the music.- kind of like what innovative bassist Flea did with the Red Hot Chili Peppers - when he took funky Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham-type bass parts and played them at punk speed and with punk attitude and by doing so changed everything the musical landscape forever. The debut of the year so far - a star has arrived. - Brad Walseth

This well-recorded compact disc contains 10 tracks of high-energy contemporary jazz. The leader, pianist Hadala, has a very fine touch, reminds one of the late Bill Evans. He is backed on most of the tracks by acoustic bass, electric bass, drums and percussion. On the balance of the the disc, Ada Rovatti joins on tenor and soprano sax, along with the trumpet veteran Randy Brecker. Both of these instrumentalists add much to the proceedings.

Each track is quite well done; if I have any favorite track, it is probably Track 1-"SALT WATER," which features the pianist with his delicate touch, backed by rhythm only. Track 7-"MADAME," is slow and dreamy, also with fine piano. Dizzy's "A NIGHT IN TUNISIA," the shortest track on the disc, gets an unusual treatment, but stands up to other versions that I have heard.

The sidemen (or should I say "sidepersons?") give great support to the pianist. Saxophonist Rovatti, from Italy, plays well, has worked with Phil Woods, Lee Konitz and the Bob Mintzer Big Band. Randy Brecker probably needs no introduction, has worked extensively in many venues, including Blood, Sweat & Tears, with James Taylor, and many jazz groups such as Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. Bassist Ueda has been associated with the all-woman big band Diva, along with the smaller group from the band, Five Play. Antonio Sanchez, originally from Mexico, has played with the Dizzy Gillespie United Nation Orchestra, also the Pat Metheny Group. Sorry, but I could not find much information about Dave Anderson and Kevin Garcia, but they play very well on this disc.

Now, if I should have any adverse reaction to this disc, it would be that, too often, the music , to these ears, seems to have a sameness. I would very much like to hear pianist Hadala stretch out on a few numbers from "The Great American Songbook," backed by bass and drums, or bass and guitar. I think the results would be exciting.

For 10 tracks of high-energy contemporary jazz, I can heartily recommend this recording. - Bill Garts - Producer/Host "Saturday Swing Section" WQLN-FM

This well-recorded compact disc contains 10 tracks of high-energy contemporary jazz. The leader, pianist Hadala, has a very fine touch, reminds one of the late Bill Evans. He is backed on most of the tracks by acoustic bass, electric bass, drums and percussion. On the balance of the the disc, Ada Rovatti joins on tenor and soprano sax, along with the trumpet veteran Randy Brecker. Both of these instrumentalists add much to the proceedings.

Each track is quite well done; if I have any favorite track, it is probably Track 1-"SALT WATER," which features the pianist with his delicate touch, backed by rhythm only. Track 7-"MADAME," is slow and dreamy, also with fine piano. Dizzy's "A NIGHT IN TUNISIA," the shortest track on the disc, gets an unusual treatment, but stands up to other versions that I have heard.

The sidemen (or should I say "sidepersons?") give great support to the pianist. Saxophonist Rovatti, from Italy, plays well, has worked with Phil Woods, Lee Konitz and the Bob Mintzer Big Band. Randy Brecker probably needs no introduction, has worked extensively in many venues, including Blood, Sweat & Tears, with James Taylor, and many jazz groups such as Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. Bassist Ueda has been associated with the all-woman big band Diva, along with the smaller group from the band, Five Play. Antonio Sanchez, originally from Mexico, has played with the Dizzy Gillespie United Nation Orchestra, also the Pat Metheny Group. Sorry, but I could not find much information about Dave Anderson and Kevin Garcia, but they play very well on this disc.

Now, if I should have any adverse reaction to this disc, it would be that, too often, the music , to these ears, seems to have a sameness. I would very much like to hear pianist Hadala stretch out on a few numbers from "The Great American Songbook," backed by bass and drums, or bass and guitar. I think the results would be exciting.

For 10 tracks of high-energy contemporary jazz, I can heartily recommend this recording. - Bill Garts - Producer/Host "Saturday Swing Section" WQLN-FM

Bartosz Hadala is a name of which more people should be made aware. Based in Poland, he is a world-class pianist and a contemporary composer with serious jazz chops. His debut, The Runner Up—a winner in every way—finds him in superb company, with some top names in jazz. Ten solid, fresh compositions—all original tunes, with the exception of Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night In Tunisia"—feature excellent performances by all parties, most of the songs performed by a septet. Up front, the tag team of saxophonist Ada Rovatti and trumpeter Randy Brecker cook on every feature, but the playing is superb all around.

Hadala asserts a strong pianist presence instantly on the opener, "Salt Water," a deep composition with a strong melody that flows smoothly; a very buoyant tune. The piano lifts the melody up with bright streams of runs, as if breaking across a windswept seashore. The band lays back, allowing the piano to guide the rhythmic ebb and flow, with the occasional wave of sound from trumpet or sax adding to the intense dynamic.

The beauty of this album is in its flow one song to the next, a gorgeous audio journey that paints pictures of serenity, spontaneity and beauty. After the serene "Salt Water," the spontaneity of "The One Call Behind" entices, followed by the beauty of tunes such as "Steve Wonders Why" and "A Sunday Walk." Ballads that feature a choppy piano styling are interspersed with beautiful melodies, and rainbow-colored chords shower individual notes down with joie de vivre.

The Runner Up is a strong debut for Bartosz Hadala. The inclusion of a powerful front line in trumpeter Brecker and saxophonist Rovatti, along with the ever- present and tasteful drumming of Antonio Sanchez and inspirational bass playing from both Noriko Ueda and Dave Anderson, make this one of the year's best records.

Track Listing: Salt Water, The One Call Behind, Another You, The B-Files, A Night In Tunisia, Steve Wonders Why, Madame, The Runner Up, A Sunday Walk, Any Way

Personnel: Bartosz Hadala: piano; Ada Rovatti: saxophone; Randy Brecker: trumpet; Noriko Ueda: acoustic bass; Dave Anderson:electric bass; Kevin Garcia: percussion; Antonio Sanchez:drums.

Record Label: Piloo Records and Productions LLC
- Paul J. Youngman - All About Jazz

Bartosz Hadala is a name of which more people should be made aware. Based in Poland, he is a world-class pianist and a contemporary composer with serious jazz chops. His debut, The Runner Up—a winner in every way—finds him in superb company, with some top names in jazz. Ten solid, fresh compositions—all original tunes, with the exception of Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night In Tunisia"—feature excellent performances by all parties, most of the songs performed by a septet. Up front, the tag team of saxophonist Ada Rovatti and trumpeter Randy Brecker cook on every feature, but the playing is superb all around.

Hadala asserts a strong pianist presence instantly on the opener, "Salt Water," a deep composition with a strong melody that flows smoothly; a very buoyant tune. The piano lifts the melody up with bright streams of runs, as if breaking across a windswept seashore. The band lays back, allowing the piano to guide the rhythmic ebb and flow, with the occasional wave of sound from trumpet or sax adding to the intense dynamic.

The beauty of this album is in its flow one song to the next, a gorgeous audio journey that paints pictures of serenity, spontaneity and beauty. After the serene "Salt Water," the spontaneity of "The One Call Behind" entices, followed by the beauty of tunes such as "Steve Wonders Why" and "A Sunday Walk." Ballads that feature a choppy piano styling are interspersed with beautiful melodies, and rainbow-colored chords shower individual notes down with joie de vivre.

The Runner Up is a strong debut for Bartosz Hadala. The inclusion of a powerful front line in trumpeter Brecker and saxophonist Rovatti, along with the ever- present and tasteful drumming of Antonio Sanchez and inspirational bass playing from both Noriko Ueda and Dave Anderson, make this one of the year's best records.

Track Listing: Salt Water, The One Call Behind, Another You, The B-Files, A Night In Tunisia, Steve Wonders Why, Madame, The Runner Up, A Sunday Walk, Any Way

Personnel: Bartosz Hadala: piano; Ada Rovatti: saxophone; Randy Brecker: trumpet; Noriko Ueda: acoustic bass; Dave Anderson:electric bass; Kevin Garcia: percussion; Antonio Sanchez:drums.

Record Label: Piloo Records and Productions LLC
- Paul J. Youngman - All About Jazz