While I generally agree with the conventional wisdom that jazz died at the end of the sixties, what was put to rest was the innovation, as if having so many masters deconstruct the music so extensively left their predecessors with no place to go. Which doesn’t mean there isn’t still great music being made, it’s just that the lack of discovery renders current artists as sort tribute acts to pioneers like Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. There are, of course, those who have tried splicing jazz with modern production techniques, but to mostly disastrous results, with even the best of them sounding dated only moments after the records were pressed.

Ironically, the great American art-form has all but left its country of origin for distinctly un-American places like France and Eastern Europe. Poland’s Thomas Stanko is a worthy example of an artist who, while uninclined to reinvent the formula, produces music as worthwhile as those that paved his way. Pairing himself with a trio of younger up-and-coming musicians for his sublime 2002 release, Soul of Things, the seasoned composer presents thirteen versions of a singular theme, explaining that his entire career has ultimately involved his deconstructing a single song over and over again.

The Tomasz Stanko Quartet – Soul of Things (Variation V) (right click to download) 5:44 mins/ 128 kbps/ 5.25MB

The Tomasz Stanko Quartet – Soul of Things (Variation VII) (right click to download) 5:48 mins/ 128 kbps/ 5.31MB