CD Pavla Bodnára, Ecce Jazz, je už tretí mesiac (od 26.februára), na playliste americkej internetovej stanice RadioIO, ktorú počúva približne 10 miliónov pravidelných poslucháčov. Programový riaditeľ stanice a saxofonista Mike Matheny napísal recenziu na toto CD, ktoré uvádzame v originále v plnom znení:

Pavol Bodnar and the InterJAZZional Band "Ecce Jazz" 4.5 of 5 Stars !!!

Our search for remarkable jazz around the globe becomes more enjoyable with each new discovery. One recent find comes to us from pianist, composer, and teacher Pavol Bodnar and the InterJAZZional Band. The album is called "Ecce Jazz" and is one of the most significant jazz releases of 2006. Announced April of '07, "Ecce Jazz" CD has been awarded AUREL 2006 for the best release in the category of Jazz and Blues. AUREL, European GRAMMY, is an annual prize instituted by IFPI, International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Read more about this album by visiting Pavol's web site at http://www.pavolbodnar.com/

Bodnar's style of musical composition generates his own unique sound. Each track reflects the various influences he absorbed during his childhood. The listener will hear Slavic melodies, Latin rhythm structures, and the roots of North American jazz harmonies. Bodnar himself is a masterful pianist and creative improviser.  On "Ecce Jazz", Bodnar incorporates jazz vocals within many of the tracks. The vocal presence colors the music with melodic beauty and poetic grace. Featured vocalists represent some of the finest singers of Middle Europe including Winand Gabor, Silvia Josifoska, Elsa Valle, and Téli Marta. For this project, Pavol also enlisted stellar instrumental support such as Violinist Stano Paluch, who brings Slavic melody and solo virtuosity throughout each track. The rhythm section is held solid by drummer Martin Valihora who creates energy and drives the band through tracks such as "Peacock Girl II" and "Twelve Passions". Duties at bass are shared by Juraj Griglak, Tomas Baros, and Stefan Bartus. Borys Janczarski (tenor sax) and Rado Tariska (alto sax) both deliver melodic support and solos that are world class. Enjoy solo work by Tariska on "Peacock Girl II" and Janczarski on "Twelve Passions". 
This album, color coded on the back cover of "Ecce Jazz", provides a guide to the diverse musical styles presented.  For several tracks, Pavol Bodnar uses a twelve tone row framed mostly in a standard jazz form (yellow). Several tracks are written in reflection of Bodnar's relationship with his wife Martina and daughter Maria Elena (red). Other tracks are presented in respect for Pavol's beloved country, Slovakia, rich in folk music (green). The remaining tracks reflect the love for Latin music (blue).

You can purchase your own copy at http://cdbaby.com/cd/pavolbodnar
  
This album is a must for the serious jazz connoisseur, but can also be enjoyed by the person that simply enjoys beautiful music created with passion. The Slavic roots are deep within each composition, but the tracks of this album reveal contemporary jazz in its definitive form. The compositions are brilliantly matched by the level of musician. The package brings a diverse set of compositions, distinctly original, which deliver a new sound to modern jazz... it is a sound which satisfies the desire for that 'something new' often sought out by the sophisticated jazz listener. Pavol himself is a star on the piano. His solo performance on "Some Other Indians" is electric. Further, the exchange between Bodnar, Janczarski, and Paluch on this track is worth the price of the album itself. In contrast, listen to the warmth and beauty of '3 Roses 4 Martina'... Winand and Silvia's vocals melted my heart.  I highly recommend this album with 4.5 of 5 stars. 
If you have any suggestions or questions about "Ecce Jazz", Email me at drmike@radioio.com 
    
......submitted by drmike/ radioIOJAZZ program director www.radioiojazz.com