The leader of the internationally acclaimed Wojtek Mazolewski Quintet reveals a more intimate, personal side in his solo project. 

Solo, the new album from Wojtek Mazolewski, offers a chamber-like, cinematic and deeply atmospheric listening experience. One might expect a solo album to become an opportunity for virtuosic displays, yet Mazolewski takes a different path - presenting the double bass as a melodic instrument, played with remarkable sensitivity and tenderness, revealing the richness and depth of its sound.

Solo is a surprising record. Despite its subtle arrangements: harp, flute, percussion, gentle electronics, and whispered vocals, the music captivates from the very first notes. Modern in spirit, it occasionally surprises with a gentle, dance- infused pulse. Mazolewski creates space for focus and reflection without falling into new-age clichés.

The album’s sound quality is also noteworthy, crafted by producers Wojtek Mazolewski and Wojtek Urbanski, (Polish platinum producer and film composer) and mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Ben Rawlins. Episodic but essential contributions from the exceptional harpist Marysia Osu also deserve mention. Mazolewski will perform alongside Marysia Osu as a guest at the London Jazz Festival in November. On the other stage, he will also appear with his international ensemble, the Tryp Tych Trio, and will return to the London Jazz Cafe with WMQ in February.

For years, Mazolewski has been a respected figure on the international stage. His Quintet’s album Polka was one of DownBeat’s favorite albums of the year. He has been a frequent guest on Gilles Peterson’s BBC Show and performed a memorable Bronswood Session there. This year’s WMQ album Live Spirit I earned international acclaim, receiving enthusiastic reviews in Jazzwise, UKVibe, Record Collector, All About Jazz, and others.

Mazolewski’s creative reach extends beyond WMQ and his solo output, including his experimental Tryp Tych Trio project with Tamar Osborn and Sarathy Korwar, as well as collaborations with artists such as Pete Wareham, Tomasz Stańko, Urszula Dudziak, John Zorn, Tim Berne, and Dennis González.