Tracks: 1. Kairo [11:25] 2. El Cerritto [13:32] 3. John's Solo [02:13] 4. Summertime [04:08] 5. Ostinato [11:01] 6. Invocation [04:51] 7. Do Like Eddie [09:11] 8. Witchi Tie To [06:01] 9. As Good As Always [08:00]
Performed by: Jarek Smietana - guitars John Purcell - saxello Paul Zauner - trombone, vocals Piotr Wyleżoł - Fender piano Adam Kowalewski - bass Adam Czerwiński - drums Thomas Celis Sanchez - percussion
Recorded: live at Studio Radio Krakow Malopolska, Poland on February 11, 2000
About: One of the premiere jazz musicians in Poland. For many years, jazz guitarist No.1 in jazz critics' and listeners' pools (magazines: Jazz Forum, Jazz, Gitara i Bass, Muzyk). Winner of "Fryderyk '98" award for "Songs And Other Ballads". Honored with President of Cracow Prize for eminent achievements on culture. One of the top guitar players in Europe.
Since 1975 till 1981, he was the leader of the legendary Polish jazz group "Extra Ball". Since 1982 till today he was the leader of the following groups: "Sounds", Big Band "Symphonic Sound Orchestra", "Polish Jazz Stars Band" (with most of the top jazz musicans from Poland). He was also a co-leader of very famous "Namysłowski-Śmietana Quartet". Jarek Śmietana has been playing all around the world (major festivals, concert tours, workshops) including USA and India.
During his musical career he has been playing and recording together with such great artists: Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Henderson, Joe Zawinul, Gary Bartz, Carter Jefferson, Vince Mednoza, John Abercrombie, Hamiet Bluiett, Idris Muhammad, Ronnie Burrage, Harvie Swartz, Mike Stern, Jack Wilkins, Zbigniew Seifert, Cameron Brown, Andy McKee, Greg Brandy, David Gilmore, Dave Friedman.
Śmietana is a very talented composer and teacher, too. He wrote about 200 jazz songs and has been leading many workshops and clinics. His dicography includes 23 recordsa as a leader and plenty of records as a sideman with other artists. In last years Śmietana together with world known jazz giants created a lot of very interesting "special jazz projects".
"... All the notes fall naturally into place. Never garrulous or merely exhibicionistic, it is a jazz concert of the highest calibre. Each phrase is swinging and is full of drive and feeling. In brief, that is how you can describe the music of Jarek Śmietana, one of the most outstanding Polish jazz musicans. He has created his own music style and indyvidual sound, always personal yet constantly communicative. His first priority is the highest possible artistic level". (Leszek Kotarski, "Jazz Forum")
