Let's face it: so many, perhaps too many, piano trio jazz CDs are released every month, and it's not every day when you find something special. But this CD - originally released in the Czech Republic and became a huge hit in Japan - has that special quality, the one that lets you know that it's a good record within the first 10 seconds. Pianist Jan Knop (b. 1972), who began to spell his name backwards as Najponk, is one of the greatest stars of his generation. He was connected to George Mraz (b. 1944), the most famous Czech bassist in the world, through drummer and jazz impressario Martin Sulc (b. 1961). The representatives of three different generations are connected by the strong unifying force of the post-bop mainstream…
Najponk's music comes directly from the roots of jazz, i.e. the blues and a swinging rhythm. His playing is a distinctive rendition of classic jazz withou any needless avant-garde experiments. It is rich in inventiveness, virtuosity and enthusiasm. With his poetic musical expression, along with fine keystrokes and perfect jazz timing, he belongs among the "storytellers", which is the higest achievement in the world of music. His own compositions greatly reflect the development of the jazz tradition within its original rules. Najponk (Jan Knop) playing the piano since she was nine years old and about since then is quite obsessed with jazz. In 1990 he founded his trio and quartet later Najponk Q. He won first place in the international jazz piano competition in Ostrava in 1995 and was invited to the project of the Czech Radio Tribute to Thelonious Monk.