Zbigniew Namyslowski

When a friend gave me this disc last year I'd forgotten all about the Polish alto player - how lovely it was to hear this quite amazing quartet again. Back in 1964 we had no idea that such lyrical, original jazz was being played in Eastern Bloc countries until the quartet arrived in Britain and this LP was cut in London.

It's hard bop with a folky traditional Polish feel to it - apart from an up-tempo Old Man River that positively steams - that I find compulsive listening.

As a player he is up there with Cannonball who himself spoke glowingly of the altoist's prowess.

Lola isn't on Spotify but quite a number of Namyslowski tracks are. Check him out.

I gather he is still active in Poland.

Lance.