Jaro Olejar uses selections from his heroes (Monk, Shorter, Coltrane) along with a few originals to put forward his own point of view. Yugoslavian born, San Francisco Bay Area adoptee, his unique expression is rooted in Balkans but carries American attitude and Eastern sensitivity acquired through his artistic life partner Ryoko. Everyone on this recording is here for a reason. Bay Area treasures Tim Volpicella and Stan Poplin, and upcoming masters Ken Okada and Alan Harris, bring their individual voices but share their immense compassion to create a tightly woven stage where all the stories play out.
Within is a wide mix of material ranging from sparse and explorative trio tracks Wise One and Nefertiti to up-tempo, all-out quartet recordings Blues for Jim San and Balkan Love. Volpicella's moving ballad Many Places and evocative duet Untitled provide a soothing release and bring the equilibrium.
It all makes sense in the end, blending into a microcosm of sounds seemingly foreign but yet warm and familiar.
Jaro Olejar tenor sax
Tim Volpicella guitar (tracks 2, 3, 4, 6)
Ken Okada bass (tracks 2, 3, 6)
Stan Poplin bass (tracks 1, 4, 5, 7)
Alan Harris drums (all tracks except 7)
