Renowned saxophonist Joe Lovano and the Polish Marcin Wasilewski Trio have joined forces once again for their highly anticipated second album on ECM, Homage. Following the success of their 2020 release, Arctic Riff, this new project delves deeper into the expressive interplay and expansive improvisation that has become a hallmark of Lovano’s work. Recorded during the group’s 2023 Village Vanguard residency, Homage reveals the seamless development of fluent structures and spontaneous, free-flowing creativity among the quartet.
With over ten-minute tracks that feature Lovano's original compositions, Homage is a powerful display of the quartet’s explorations in both structured and free improvisation. Lovano, often shifting between tenor saxophone, tárogató, and percussion, creates a dynamic listening experience, with the album capturing the musicians' live chemistry and the raw, organic beauty of their musical dialogue. “It felt like we were one,” says Lovano about his connection with drummer Michael Miskiewicz during the recording.
A Natural Musical Dialogue
Building on their deep musical bond, the quartet’s connection has only grown stronger since their first collaboration. “We connected with Joe right from the start,” says the trio. “He’s the kind of musician who jumps into the moment and plays along with whatever he hears, which matches how we approach music.” Over the years of touring together, their mutual openness and spontaneity have fostered a rich, fluid communication between them, both on stage and in the studio.
The title track, Homage, is particularly notable, as Lovano originally wrote it for the 2023 ECM celebration at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, in honor of Manfred Eicher’s 80th birthday. Lovano’s composition, a tribute to the legendary ECM founder, was performed alongside a star-studded lineup, including Dave Holland, Anouar Brahem, and Ralph Towner. The piece is a reflection of Lovano’s lifelong admiration for ECM’s artistic legacy, and he notes that the composition was created purely from emotions, with no written notes: “It’s just feelings written in a sequence of events.”
Exploring Modal Shifts and Free-Wheeling Improvisation
Two extended compositions, Golden Horn and This Side – Catville, exemplify the quartet’s commitment to long-form improvisation. Golden Horn is a modal exploration that blends shifting tides between the musicians, with Miskiewicz’s steady pulse and Wasilewski’s melodic exploration leading the way. The piece calls to mind the trio’s earlier work with the late Tomasz Stanko, as heard in September Night (released in 2024), where similar improvisatory dialogues were featured.
The twelve-minute This Side – Catville takes even more creative liberties, with the quartet engaging in spontaneous exchanges through swinging bars and harmonic shifts. Wasilewski’s delicate keyboard work creates a striking contrast to Lovano’s bold and intricate saxophone phrases, underscoring the quartet’s heightened sense of responsive improvisation.
Spontaneity and Tradition: A Harmonious Fusion
The album also includes a surprising and deeply expressive take on Love In The Garden, a composition by Polish violinist Zbigniew Seifert. The quartet’s treatment of the 70s electric original transforms the piece into a fluid ballad, demonstrating the group’s ability to blend spontaneity with tradition. “It was a spontaneous choice – no discussion about how or what to play. We just went for it,” Marcin recalls. Lovano adds, “The heart and soul of the music is found in playing ballads, and that’s what we did—creating it as we played.”
A Harmonious Quartet: Chemistry at Its Best
As the album’s title suggests, Homage is a fitting tribute to the musicianship of Joe Lovano and the Marcin Wasilewski Trio. The flawless chemistry between the quartet is evident throughout the album, with each track showcasing their intuitive understanding and collective improvisational skill. The album was recorded at the legendary Van Gelder studio in New Jersey and mixed at Bavaria Musikstudios in Munich, with production by Manfred Eicher.
Tracklist for Homage
- Homage
- Golden Horn
- This Side – Catville
- Love In The Garden (Zbigniew Seifert)
- Improvised Miniatures
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