Tomasz Stańko

Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stańko was a major force in bringing European jazz, especially avant-garde and post-bop, to a wider audience. A daring improviser with a brooding, cinematic style, Stańko's work was largely shaped by pianist/composer Krzysztof Komeda, a contemporary of his with whom he recorded 1965's landmark Astigmatic. After Komeda's death in 1969, Stańko paid tribute to his friend with 1970's Music for K and released a string of influential albums, including 1976's Balladyna, 1982's Music 81, and 1994's Matka Joanna, the latter of which introduced his quartet with pianist Marcin Wasilewski. He also recorded with pianist Bobo Stenson, bassist Palle Danielsson, and drummer Jon Christensen, releasing highly acclaimed albums on ECM, including 1997's Litania: The Music of Krzysztof Komeda, 2009's Dark Eyes, and his final studio album, 2017's December Avenue. An archival 2004 concert album, September Night, arrived in 2024 as a potent reminder of Stańko's lasting influence.