Joachim Mencel / Brad Terry
Live in Fort Andross

Label: Inspirafon, 2009
Catalogue No: INS001
Format: CD (deluxe edition)

Tracks:

1. The Old Country
2. Free Whistle
3. Just Friends
4. Tu i teraz
5. All Alone
6. My Home
7. Springtime
8. Mark's Tune
9. We're Done

Line-up:

Brad Terry - clarinet, whistling
Joachim Mencel - piano

Recorded:

August 19, 2006 at Fort Andross, Maine

About:

In a sense, the latest album Joachim Mencel and Brad Terry is as classical as strange is the word "whistler". This does not mean that it is devoid of charm - on the contrary - this wonderful duo has a great deal of energy and tranquility at the same time.

"Live in Fort Andross' was recorded during a concert at Fort Andross in Brunswick, Maine (USA). Therefore, we obtain uncontaminated material (which for some is a big advantage), far away from ultra sterile habituation processed sounds off recording studio, and the spontaneous flow of music. Well, yes - live recordings are not anything special - the history of jazz knows their myriad cases. In this case, the situation is even a little stranger. Brad Terry is a very good clarinetist, but he is famous for a special improvisational shill - whistling. Of course this curiosity makes the disc particularly interesting, however, it also places the music in a specific mood. We rarely listen to a good clarinetists, notably in Poland. As for the sound layer, therefore, get the material very fresh and largely original. In short - the disc consists of a very smooth and melodic musical dialogues with clarinet, piano and whistle.

American Brad Terry has been working with Polish pianist Joachim Mencel since 1993. They played repeatedly tours in Poland and the USA. Concerts both in duo and in quartet, they even prepared a special project for string orchestra and jazz quartet. CD "Live in Fort Andross is the crowning achievement of their cooperation. Duo performs both compositions of Joachim Mencel as well as few well known standards. Modest instrumentation makes the well-known songs sound like a completely different subjects. Particularly pronounced in the case is heard 'Just Friends' where you have a good moment to analyze the melody and harmony, to guess what kind of track they are playing. However, these modifications are carried out in the acceptable limits, and that makes it especially good - very good. "He throws in the ears" proves that the two musicians do not want to overdo it with the length of improvisation, leaving a place, even disappearing into each other.

As far as jazz pianists in Poland, the students at Polish music schools are lucky that at the level is extremely high.  There is so many great instrumentalists that it is difficult indeed to say which of them deserves the glory of priority. Worth mentioning the case of Marcin Wasilewski, who in recent years added so much to the game of Tomasz Stanko, before blossoming into international star. It is interesting that every few years there is some new revelation on the Polish jazz scene, and the audiences and critics - rightly - melt in ecstasy over them. Young pianists come on the scene very quickly and very dynamically. Sometimes to quickly - few years ago when still (then) super-star Leszek Mozdzer couldn't not even get on time to the barber for a "Your Style" (magazine in Poland) photo session; the hearts of Polish (and not only!) jazz fans were already taken by a new pianist - Pawel Kaczmarczyk. And what about  very energetic Slawomir Jaskulke? A lyrical Michal Tokaj? A "multifunctional" Piotr Wylezol? The list is really long.

On the short - "one breath" - list of  brilliant Polish pianist, there is always a place for Joachim Mencel. He is an instrumentalist who is not afraid of challenges, a lot of experimenting, playing with many different musicians, with the smaller and larger teams, but he never loses sight of his style. Very lyrical, emotional rather than intellectual, but not devoid of virtuosity. This is presented on the CD "Live in Fort Andross.

Brad Terry? Although I must admit he is not a virtuoso, when he plays his clarinet it just "melts". Terry played with such musicians as Dizzy Gillespie, Red Mitchell, and Buddy Tate. His game is rather skilful matching of sounds than showing of with up and down scales. Brad Terry is more economical than lavish - which is always appreciated by students and other musicians. Joachim Mencel and Brad Terry get on very well, and despite cameral duo setting, their play is very vigorous, which is perfectly showed on their latest album.

And one more thing about the whistle: Terry's instrument is much more then musical curiosity, it is actually completely autonomous and as good as any "classical" instrument. After hearing "Live in Fort Andross" indulgent smiles caused by the word "whistler" will disappear for sure.

Maciej Sabal (rekomendacje-muzyka netbird pl)