I heard Krzystof a couple of times earlier this year, once with Erik Truffaz at Inntöne and once with a larger band in Kosice in Slovakia. A lyrical player, he played solo at the Jazz Cafe POSK in Hammersmith in a double bill with Maciek Pysz’s Trio.
His Polishness seemed really to come through in his performance. At some moments you felt he was playing a Chopinesque mazurka, at others it seemed like a nocturne. Seamless improvising, his commitment and passion drew one in to his performance. Clearly he has a clear technique but uses it wisely.
Meanwhile, Maciek had a new trio with English-domiciled bassist Jakub Czewinski and Eric Ford. Using a semi-acoustic guitar, his set had a sort of Brazilian wistfulness and saudade. Czewinski was a particular strength to the trio, equally at home either pizzicato or bowing.