Horntet – ‘Horntet’

Horntet are a quintet of young Polish musicians led by pianist Bartłomiej Leśniak. Despite only forming in 2019 while they were students at the Academies of Music in Krakow and Katowice, the group already have an impressive list of achievements to their name; these include prizes at the Blue Note Poznan Competition and at the Jazz nad Odra Festival. Their self-titled debut album, released in October on For-Tune Records, features seven tracks, six of which are originals.  

The record opens with the striking opening chords of ‘Falling Up’, an exciting tune which ventures through an eclectic range of feels. The band flows through an open-ended free-up before lapsing into dark modal swing, eventually settling on a driving, repetitive rhythm. Altoist Szymon Ziółkowski and double bassist Mikołaj Sikora share an interesting paired improvisation during this third section, the latter’s bowed melodies complementing the saxophonist’s keening sound. 

‘Przebudzenia’, which translates as ‘Awakenings’, starts with a pensive solo intro from Leśniak, calling to mind Bill Evans. The melody- performed in unison by Ziółkowski and tenor saxophonist Robert Wypasek– is one of haunting beauty, occasionally punctuated by brush flourishes from drummer Piotr Przewoźniak. It is also Przewoźniak’s thunderous drums which drive the chaotic closing minutes of this tune, featuring soaring, intertwined melodies from both saxophonists. 

The aptly named ‘Ace of Bass’ sees bassist Mikołaj Sikora come into his own, his deep, woody tones setting up a brooding minor swing. This one has a more straight-ahead sensibility, the rhythm section digging in under Leśniak’s swaggering phrases. Ziółkowski and Wypasek take more of a back seat here, playing the melody only- the spotlight is firmly on piano, bass and drums, who craft a beguiling groove together. 

Thelonious Monk’s ‘Pannonica’ is the only non-original tune on the album and gets a modernistic treatment from Horntet. A mysterious extended sax duo kicks things off before being interrupted by a spiky rhythmic pattern- this forms the basis for an intricate interpretation of Monk’s melody. Wypasek then proceeds to take the group into outer space with a virtuosic solo.  

Horntet are a jazz quintet who are not afraid to explore contrasting musical ideas. This debut shows they are well on their way to crafting an individual sound which combines elements of the hard bop tradition with both anarchic free jazz and contemporary grooves. 

‘Horntet’ was made possible with the support of Poland’s Jazz Phonographic Debut programme, organised by the National Institute of Music and Dance. 

Band: Szymon Ziółkowski – alto and soprano saxophones / Piotr Przewoźniak- drums / Robert Wypasek- tenor and soprano saxophones / Bartłomiej Leśniak- piano  / Mikołaj Sikora – double bass