Executive Overview
In the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary European jazz, true generational talent emerges only once in a blue moon. With the release of her debut double-vinyl set, Don’t Look Behind, Always Forward (ZenneZ Records), 21-year-old Polish composer, pianist, and electronic artist Hania Derej has cemented her status as a formidable creative force. Recorded primarily at the world-class Cavatina Hall Studio in Bielsko-Biała, engineered by Szymon Herbuś, and polished through the mixing and mastering wizardry of Envee, this ambitious release serves as both a masterclass in modern composition and an expansive sonic voyage.
Derej, a conducting graduate of the prestigious Academy of Music in Kraków and a current film composition student at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, has already penned well over a hundred original works spanning jazz, chamber, film, and electronic soundscapes. Following her critically praised 2024 quintet album, Evacuation—a project she wrote while still a secondary school student—Derej’s latest endeavor captures the lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry of her newly formed trio. Alongside bassist Mateusz Szewczyk and drummer Gniewomir Tomczyk, Derej has crafted an album that seamlessly bridges acoustic instrumentation with cutting-edge electronics, all while expanding its harmonic palette across four distinct sides of vinyl via carefully curated guest appearances from international saxophone luminaries.
Detailed Chronology & Track-by-Track Analysis
The genesis of the Hania Derej Trio can be traced back to a fortuitous, serendipitous meeting at the Kraków Film Festival. Recognizing an immediate, profound artistic kinship, Derej (piano and electronics), Szewczyk (double and electric bass), and Tomczyk (drums) coalesced into an unyielding unit. The material they previewed at international showcases—including a rapturously received performance at Manchester’s beloved Northern Quarter venue, Matt & Phred’s, during the Manchester Jazz Festival—has now been immortalized on ZenneZ Records.
The double-vinyl album’s sequencing is a masterstroke of architectural storytelling. The thematic pillars of the release give the album its "Always Forward" opens Side A, while "Don’t Look Behind" serves as the fiery denouement closing Side D. This deliberate narrative framing defers looking over the shoulder until the very final groove of the record. Furthermore, the album’s guest curation mirrors its expanding horizons: Side A introduces the core trio in absolute isolation, whereas each subsequent turn of the vinyl introduces a new master saxophonist, progressively widening the album’s sonic architecture.
Side A: The Trio Unbound
Side A commences with "Always Forward," a track that evokes the sensation of Mediterranean sunlight hitting the face and gentle waves lapping at the shore. Demonstrating remarkable compositional maturity, Derej holds back the central theme until the halfway mark, building anticipation before a spine-chilling melodic unveiling. The latter half of the piece is carried by a symbiotic dialogue between Derej’s warm synthesizer pads and her acoustic grand piano, making the crossover between synthetic and organic textures almost imperceptible.
This opening statement effortlessly transitions into "Hope," the album’s tantalizing lead single. Here, the piano commands the primary theme while the rhythm section glides with the seasoned, telepathic cohesion of a band boasting decades of shared discography—a staggering feat for a debut release.
Side B: Expanding Horizons With Walter Smith III
Side B initiates the album’s collaborative phase, welcoming acclaimed saxophonist Walter Smith III on "The Closer the Further." A shimmering electronic drone slowly coalesces before the foundation of bass, drums, and saxophone takes a firm grip on the listener. The arrangement dramatically halts for a pristine acoustic piano interlude, after which Smith runs a blistering gauntlet, driving the ensemble into a full-throttle jazz-fusion excursion before gently settling back into contemporary, playful sophistication.
The side concludes with "Lost in Berlin," returning the spotlight exclusively to the core trio. Channeling the fierce, restless energy of contemporary Poland’s burgeoning jazz underground, the track operates as a headstrong club tune where sparkling synthesizer lines are anchored firmly by Szewczyk’s driving electric basslines.
Side C: Global Textures and Introspective Masterpieces
As the record flips to Side C, Mexican multi-reed virtuoso Abel Sánchez Abarca steps into the fold for "Life Upside Down." The composition is delightfully quirky and angular, playing architectural games around Abarca’s saxophone lines before the acoustic piano slides in to expand the harmonic horizons.
The tempo subsequently shifts downwards on "September," featuring a meditative walking drum pattern that underpins the piano before building in momentum and bravado. Side C culminates in "Falling in the Same Place," an absolute tour de force that stands out as one of the record’s crowning achievements. Dedicated largely to the acoustic piano, the piece features deeply expressive, hauntingly textured bowed double bass work from Szewczyk, highlighting the trio’s capacity for profound emotional introspection.
Side D: The Explosive Finale With Krzysztof Kuźmierek
The final side belongs entirely to saxophonist Krzysztof Kuźmierek, an artist with whom the trio shares considerable touring miles, including notable performances at Budapest’s Opus Jazz Club and alongside Derej in Manchester.
"Rush" erupts with the kinetic energy of synth-pop before mutating into a wild, untamed beast—occupying the exact terrain currently being staked out by the vanguard of modern Polish jazz. The electronics bite hard, resulting in a deep, rewarding track primed for commercial single success. The album closes with the titular heavyweight, "Don’t Look Behind." Fuzz-laden, blistering, and quick-fire, the track captures the ensemble at their most explosive: a veritable power trio augmented by world-class wind instrumentation, bringing the epic double-vinyl journey to a breathtaking, high-octane close.
Supporting Context & Metrics
To fully appreciate the gravity of Don’t Look Behind, Always Forward, one must examine the broader cultural, geographical, and educational framework from which it emerged.
- The Educational Foundation: At only 21 years of age, Hania Derej’s academic credentials are extraordinary. Graduating with a degree in conducting from the historic Academy of Music in Kraków—an institution renowned for rigorous classical training—has imbued her jazz compositions with a meticulous attention to counterpoint, orchestration, and large-scale form. Her transition to studying film composition at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam further explains the cinematic scope and spatial depth present throughout her arrangements.
- The Transnational Roster & Production Metrics: The album bridges several distinct European and international jazz ecosystems. Recorded with pristine acoustic fidelity at Cavatina Hall Studio (Bielsko-Biała, Poland), the project benefits from the engineering prowess of Szymon Herbuś and the veteran mixing/mastering ear of Envee. Furthermore, the inclusion of guest artists spanning the United States (Walter Smith III), Mexico (Abel Sánchez Abarca), and Poland (Krzysztof Kuźmierek) highlights the project’s global connectivity.
- The Autumn 2026 Touring Circuit: In support of the ZenneZ Records release, the Hania Derej Trio has mapped out an extensive international routing for autumn 2026, traversing Poland, Romania, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. Though UK fans must cherish localized performances like their landmark Manchester Jazz Festival preview—given that current tour logistics bypass the Channel—the resonance of their live show continues to expand rapidly across the continent.
Official Statements & Industry Reception
The critical consensus surrounding Hania Derej’s rapid ascent points toward a fundamental shift in how young artists approach genre boundaries. Industry insiders have repeatedly lauded her unique ability to synthesize high-concept classical theory, film-score narrative pacing, and visceral, club-oriented electronic rhythms into a cohesive jazz format.
While formal label press releases emphasize her rigorous dual education in Kraków and Amsterdam, peer reviews from across the European jazz network focus on her fearless execution. Critics have noted that Derej treats her synthesizer not merely as an atmospheric pad, but as an equal, dynamic voice alongside her acoustic piano and the rhythm section. Observers at ZenneZ Records have privately and publicly marveled at her work ethic, noting that writing over a hundred fully realized compositions across disparate genres by the age of 21 is a statistical anomaly in contemporary music.
Reviewers reflecting on her live performances—such as those at Matt & Phred’s—frequently highlight the "telepathic interplay" between Derej, bassist Mateusz Szewczyk, and drummer Gniewomir Tomczyk, establishing that their studio recordings are backed by an equally formidable, high-energy live presentation.
Future Outlook
As Don’t Look Behind, Always Forward makes its physical and digital descent upon the global jazz community, the future for Hania Derej and her trio appears limitless. The release of a double-vinyl debut is a bold, uncompromising statement of artistic intent—one that typically marks the mid-career milestone of a seasoned veteran rather than the opening salvo of a 21-year-old prodigy.
With her feet firmly planted in both the classical traditions of Kraków and the forward-thinking pedagogical environment of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Derej is uniquely positioned to bridge the historical divide between academic composition and contemporary improvised music. Her upcoming international tour through Central and Western Europe will undoubtedly introduce her genre-defying sound to broader audiences, paving the way for inevitable future collaborations with international virtuosos.
For the jazz world, the message delivered by the album’s dualistic title is clear: while honoring the rich heritage of the genre, Hania Derej is looking strictly, brilliantly, always forward.
