Discography

Black Pen

Black Pen represents an important chapter in the musical journey of Antykwariat Jazz Group. The album is built primarily around original compositions by Sławomir Bielawiec, bringing together a broad spectrum of jazz influences while maintaining a distinctive and cohesive musical identity.

The music moves naturally between contemporary and mainstream jazz, European lyricism, rhythm & blues, funk, Latin rhythms, jazz-rock, and post-bop. At the heart of the album are strong melodies, rich harmonies, and creative improvisation, reflecting the influence of the American jazz scene.

Critics have noted the album’s stylistic diversity and wide range of musical landscapes. The title track, “Black Pen,” blends contemporary post-bop with echoes of the musical world of Chick Corea and Return to Forever. Other selections range from the haunting lyricism of “Rosemary’s Baby” and the groove-driven “Feel That Rhythm” to “My Ballad,” “Midnight Samba,” and the energetic jazz-rock finale “Spring.”

A major part of the album’s character comes from the individual voices of its musicians: Sławomir Bielawiec on piano, Jan Zienko on guitar, Rob Denty on saxophone, Art Davis on trumpet, Jacek Berlin on xylophone and percussion, Andy Grzelak and Chris Pabian on bass, and Jerry Lukomski on drums.

Rather than belonging to a single jazz category, Black Pen captures Antykwariat Jazz Group’s musical philosophy: original music, strong melodies, creative improvisation, and the meeting of different musical traditions within a modern jazz language.