Stanisław Sroka Trio performed on 8 April at the Pegaz club of the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre. During the concert, the musicians played songs from their debut album “Heart Attack”, enthusiastically received by the jazz community both in Poland and Germany. The album could be purchased at the Pegaz club at a special price.
The trio’s instrumental music is highly diverse. It combines elements of jazz, blues and funk. The concert versions of the songs from “Heart Attack” were filled with artists’ solo showcases. Each member of the formation proved to be a virtuoso in every respect. The playing of the legendary bassist Andrzej Rusek was particularly noteworthy.
The band’s pieces are technically demanding, requiring precision and considerable skill. Nevertheless, the members of the trio had great fun on stage, and it was clear that the music they create is their passion.
The band was formed after the breakup of Stanisław Sroka’s previous group, for which the guitarist had composed several songs. Together with drummer Łukasz Kurek, he decided to continue making music together under the name Stanisław Sroka Trio. “I didn’t want to leave this material behind; I wanted to record it,” Sroka explains.
Later, Andrzej Rusek joined the musicians. “I was very pleased that he agreed at all, because he is a world-class bassist, and in Poland he is already a living legend of the bass,” notes the leader of the Silesian formation. In 2006, the band recorded an album that was not released until October last year.
The group defines its style as fusion. “It’s a kind of label,” explains Sroka. “I grew up on heavier music. Then I started listening to jazz guitarists who also played more aggressively, such as Scott Henderson and Allan Holdsworth. I don’t really listen to mainstream music,” he adds.
Is there a demand in Poland for music that is so difficult to listen to? “For me, it’s strange: everywhere we play, this music is received with enthusiasm,” says Stanisław Sroka. Nevertheless, the band does not hide the fact that it would like to attract listeners throughout Europe. “It’s clear that the market there is much larger than in Poland,” notes the leader of the Silesian formation. There is one goal: to make a living exclusively from playing their own music. For now, the members of the trio are forced to supplement their income by playing in entertainment bands.
The media patron of the event was the Boleslawiec.org / IstotneInformacje.pl portal.
(GA information)