Antykwariat Jazz Group was founded by Jan Zienko and Slawomir Bielawiec in 1776 and prospered in Poland until 1980. Originally a quartet, then quintet, sextet, and finally a septet, it specialized in music encompassing mainstream jazz. During this time the group was composed of the following exceptional musicians: Slawomir Bielawiec – piano, Jan Zienko – guitar, Jerzy Nowicki – drums, Zbigniew Richter – bass, Piotr Zielik – alto sax, Waldemar Pszczoch – tenor sax, Eugeniusz Jasinski – trumpet.
Other musicians that came and went during this time period include: Jerzy Opalinski – bass, Janusz Zukowski – tenor sax.
The early Antykwariat is most aptly described by music critic Jacek Grun: “No jazz group is capable of entering the spotlight of the jazz world through the backdoor in order to showcase its grand musicality and talent. Perfectly sensitive jazz is able to utilize this gift on stage, especially within jazz clubs. Music enthusiasts loved them immediately”.
Antykwariat reformed in Chicago in 2006, now performing both original compositions and well-known jazz standards. Antykwariat Jazz Group characterizes a style of music where old and new European romantic and American jazz music meet. The band’s superb musicality is a factor of extensive experience, great workshop, and a deep immersion in musical culture- all of which allow for an incomparable, creative touch in music composition. A lifetime of musical experience and passion are conveyed through each member’s artistic emotion, allowing the group to remarkably perform in many jazz varieties and actualize a spectrum of stylistic thoughts. Antykwariat produces music that is truly unique and constantly seeking new sources of inspiration. The group is composed of: Slawomir Bielawiec – piano, Jan Zienko – guitar, Jarek Lukomski – drums, Andy Grzelak – electric bassand bass quitar, Jacek Berlin – percussion, Rob Denty – soprano and tenor sax, Art Davis – trumpet, flugelhorn.
Others with previous Antykwariat Group involvement in Chicago: Mieczyslaw Wolny – flute, Przemyslaw Pahl – drums.
Howard Reich, a recognized jazz music critic, has expressed his admiration for the band in the Chicago Tribune. “Playing original scores and familiar repertoire, Antykwariat epitomizes the high lyricism of Polish and European music, as expressed through contemporary jazz vocabularies. [The group] has reaffirmed that substantive jazz improvisation and utterly accessible melody making are not mutually exclusive… Antykwariat has made something of a signature of [Rosemary’s Baby], and the musicians’ slow-burn crescendos and complex but tautly controlled solos say a lot about the integrity of their work. This is a band that doesn’t need to shout its achievements; it trusts listeners to recognize the subtleties of its music”.
Alicja Otap writes in the Chicago Polish Daily News Dziennik Zwiazkowy, “as if in spite of its own name, Antykwariat produces and performs modern jazz, harder to generate than its traditional counterpart, inspired by various musical styles including rock, new age, blues, and soul. Listeners are presented with original compositions that captivate a characteristic and unique sound and provide fans with an unforgettable artistic experience”.
Wojciech Siwak, PhD, Institute of Cultural Studies, University of Bialystok, Poland:
In global world, every moment we can participate in some unusual meetings. East meet West, America meets Europe, and so on. Here you can see brilliant musical meeting of European jazz tradition with Chicago American groove.
Antykwariat Jazz Group invites you to a journey across European lyricism, Slavic nostalgia, through American mainstream jazz, to funk, latin, and rock. ‘Black Pen’ is an album that can immerse you into various moods, from title tune, recalling Chick Corea Return To Forever and modern postpebop in one space, through lyrical lullaby from Roman Polanski’s movie ‘Rosemary’s Baby’, funky ‘Feel That Rhythm’, classical bop ‘My Ballad’, latin ‘Midnight Samba’ to shiny smooth-jazzy ‘Spring’.
It is not only music, there are colours, coming out from each song. Musical shapes are incrustated by Rachmaninoff and Chopin influences in Slawomir Bielawiec piano playing, fat and round timbre of Jan Zienko guitar, ear-stroked sax of Rob Denty, elegant ad well-tailored trumpet of Art Davis, scattered pearls of xylophone phrases of Jacek Berlin, and solid groove of rhythm section – Andy Grzelak, Krzysztof Pabian (basses) and Jarek Lukomski – drums.
If you are ready to paint your ear, this record is for you.
Slawomir Bielawiec
Slawomir Bielawiec is continuously admired by music critics and enthusiasts as a jazz musician, pianist, composer, arranger, music producer and band leader. Apart from having composed music for theatre, radio, jazz bands, pop artists and instrumental ensembles, he has performed in numerous venues around Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and the U.S. Also a journalist, producer and radio host, he has been a head radio personality for his morning show, Radio Chicago on WPNA 1490 AM, since 1991. The root of Slawomir Bielawiec’s expressive jazz piano style stems from an extensive knowledge in instrumental technique and music theory, complemented by decades of experience and a Master’s in Music from Warsaw Music University. His eloquent style of play can be traced to a wide range of influences ranging from Chopin’s romanticism and Rachmaninov’s harmonic insight to popular music, mainstream and modern jazz. The result is a genre of avant-garde jazz full of passion and enchanting musicality.
Jan Zienko
Co-founder of Antykwariat, jazz musician, session musician, composer and producer Jan Zienko has made a great impact as an accomplished guitarist and driven educator. Following a degree in music and a wealth of professional playing experience, Jan Zienko used his unique musical perspective to establish the Guitar Academy of Chicago and is also currently the owner of Jan Zienko Private Studio Recording in Chicago. He has composed pieces for many theatre productions and films including Babe, Winnie the Pooh, Polish Bethlehem and the Fourth Partition which has received awards in festivals in Los Angeles and Chicago. He has been privileged to share the stage with many great artists in Europe and the U.S. Whether he is playing jazz, jazz rock, ballads or blues, he is recognized as a musically sophisticated guitarist who plays with grace and dignity.
Jacek Berlin
Jacek Berlin studied at Cracow Music University and completed his Master’s in Music at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He has collaborated with the Cracow Percussion Group, performed at festivals in Amsterdam, Berlin, Stuttgart, Bratislava, and Poznan, and has taken part in numerous recording sessions for Polish and French television and radio. In addition, he has has worked with an array of symphonic orchestras and chamber groups. Having performed jazz, contemporary and classical music, Jacek Berlin stands out with his sensitivity and musical ingenuity. He is a respected percussion teacher for high schools and colleges in Chicago. He extends a special thank you to his wife, Beata, and his two sons Bartlomiej and Jakub for their continuous support, understanding, and patience during the realization of this project.
Rob Denty
One of the most remarkable saxophonists in the Chicago jazz scene, Rob Denty completed a Bachelor’s in Music at the University of North Florida and a Master’s of Music at Depaul University Chicago. He has performed with countless musical greats such as Ramsey Lewis, Johnny Griffin, Aretha Frankling, Joe Lovano, Doc Severinsen, Randy Brecker, Branford Marsalis, Lonnie Brooks, Lynne Arriale, and the Chicago Jazz Ensemble. One can hear a variety of musical style influences in his playing, including traditional jazz, free jazz, classical and popular music. Full of graceful solos, airy flights, and an outstanding feel for musical phrases and melodic growth, Rob Denty’s performance ability is one of a kind.
Art Davis
A Chicago trumpeter, legend for younger musicians in the jazz scene, and one of Chicago’s leading jazz trumpet artists, Art Davis has toured with an array of stars, including Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney and appeared with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Joe Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Maynard Ferguson, the Woody Herman Orchestra, Natalie Cole, Diane Shur, Bill Cosby, Tony Bennett, and Michael Feinstein. Art Davis appears also in many recordings, including those with Frank Mantooth, Janice Borla, Jackie Allen, Rob Parton, Tommy Meullner, Kelly Brand, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra. Art Davis has degrees in Music Education (B.M., University of Illinois) and Musicology (M.M., University of Illinois).
Andy Grzelak
As a live, studio, and session bassist, Andy Grzelak plays with an untouchable rhythmic understanding and musical drive. He has toured and recorded with a variety of blues, gospel, rock and jazz stars. Equally comfortable in many different styles of music, he performs with genuine feeling and an unassuming mastery of timing and precision. Influenced by bass players such as Ron Carter, Jaco Pastourius, and Brian Bromberg, he is a quintessential support player who steadily holds the pocket and creates a solid foundation for musicians he shares the bandstand with.
Jarek Lukomski
Jarek Lukomski is a universal and all-inclusive percussionist. He has performed with an innumerable amount of American and European stars: John Moulder, Rich Moore, Maggie Brown, Ester Hana, Pound Of Flesh, Jazzmatess, Little Egoist, Krzysztof Scieranski, , Jaroslaw Smietana, Laboratorium. His drumming can be best described as one that embodies many different styles from New Orleans music, swing, bebop, pop. Applied with his powerful rock drumming sensitivity, he is able to push the boundaries of all styles to new heights. His musical focus is committed to the exploration of improvised music incorporating styles as diverse as Blues, Jazz, R&B, Funk, Rock, and even Hard Rock.