For those unaware, tenor saxophonist, woodwinds player, composer, bandleader, and educator John Wojciechowski is pleased to announce the August 18th, 2023 release of his third leader album, Swing of the Pendulum, on AFAR Music.

The Chicago Tribune has called Wojciechowski — known on the jazz scene as “Wojo” — “a commanding soloist, intriguing composer and effective bandleader.” DownBeat has praised his playing for its “expressive mettle.” The Jazz Page proclaimed that he “possesses a big league tone on his axe that is a pleasure to hear. Likewise, his writing is first rate.”

Originally from Detroit, Wojciechowski (woe-jih-HOW-skee) has been a sought-after performer and educator on the Chicago scene for two decades. Featuring first-call accompanists in pianist Xavier Davis, bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Dana Hall, Swing of the Pendulum marks his next evolutionary step.

1. The Leaves Fall to the Ground
2. Swing of the Pendulum
3. Past Reflections
4. Peripheral Vision
5. Bass Intro
6. Minds Eye
7. The Greater the Distance
8. Lexicon

The album opens on the flourishing The Leaves Fall to the Ground and the finger-snapping, titular Swing of the Pendulum (which was written around the time of 2018’s U.S. congressional elections) and then brings us the melodious Past Reflections, the quietly funky Peripheral Vision (which is Wojciechowski’s homage to the late piano visionary Ahmad Jamal), before we get a 90 second, yet dutiful Bass Intro, then comes the rhythmically-hued, drum-led Minds Eye, the album rounding out on the impassioned The Greater the Distance, closing on the re-recorded Lexicon.

The quartet recorded Swing of the Pendulum from soup to nuts in four and a half hours; the brevity of its creation belies the album’s profound significance. Sure, “Lexicon” closes a loop between Wojciechowski of yore and Wojciechowski now, and serves as a reminder of where he’s been.

But the overall vision of Swing of the Pendulum is future-forward, if only for this truth: it’s enthralling to imagine where this blazing tenorman could surge from here.