Tomasz Stańko Quintet

Biography

Tomasz Stańko (11 July 1942 – 29 July 2018) was a Polish trumpeter and composer. Stańko is strongly associated with free jazz and the avant-garde. In 1968 Stańko formed a quintet that met critical acclaim, with Zbigniew Seifert on violin and alto saxophone. In 1970 they recorded "Music for K", a tribute to Stanko's mentor and former band leader Krzysztof Komeda, who had died the year before this album was recorded. Dark Eyes is an album Tomasz Stańko recorded in 2009 and released on the ECM la...

Tomasz Stańko (11 July 1942 – 29 July 2018) was a Polish trumpeter and composer. Stańko is strongly associated with free jazz and the avant-garde.

In 1968 Stańko formed a quintet that met critical acclaim, with Zbigniew Seifert on violin and alto saxophone. In 1970 they recorded "Music for K", a tribute to Stanko's mentor and former band leader Krzysztof Komeda, who had died the year before this album was recorded.

Dark Eyes is an album Tomasz Stańko recorded in 2009 and released on the ECM label.
The Allmusic review by Michael G. Nastos awarded the album 3½ stars stating "With the late-night aspect emphasized and the ECM precept fully realized, Dark Eyes represents yet another triumph for this extraordinary artist, who always pulls back and digs deep into the wellspring of emotion with every passing moment".

Track listing
All compositions by Tomasz Stańko except as indicated.
"So Nice" - 5:55
"Terminal 7" - 5:30
"The Dark Eyes of Martha Hirsch" - 10:05
"Grand Central" - 6:27
"Amsterdam Avenue" - 6:13
"Samba Nova" - 9:23
"Dirge for Europe" (Krzysztof Komeda) - 5:29
"May Sun" - 2:47
"Last Song" - 4:00
"Etiuda Baletowa No.3" (Komeda) - 5:49

Personnel
Tomasz Stańko - trumpet
Jakob Bro - guitar
Alexi Tuomarila - piano
Anders Christensen - bass guitar
Olavi Louhivuori - drums

Tomasz Stanko's smouldering Slavic soul music and grainy-toned trumpet finds a new context on “Dark Eyes”. Like his hero Miles Davis, the Polish jazz master also has an impressive record as talent scout and mentor, and his latest ensemble pools young players from the North of Europe. Tomasz has had strong connections to Finland in particular since the early 1970s, when he was part of Edward Vesala’s creative circle. Now he welcomes two prodigiously gifted Finns into his group, pianist Alexi Tuomarila and drummer Olavi Louhviuori, both expressive and imaginative players. On “Dark Eyes”, Jakob Bro, the young guitarist heard on ECM on Paul Motian’s “Garden of Eden” is cast most often in the role of subtle colourist, while fellow Dane Anders Christensen, on electric bass throughout, provides the band’s throbbing pulse. The programme features new Stanko compositions, including “The Dark Eyes of Martha Hirsch”, inspired by an Oskar Kokoschka canvas, plus a new version of “Last Song” from Tomasz ECM debut “Balladyna”, as well as “Dirge for Europe” and “Etiuda baletowa nr. 3” from the pen of Krzysztof Komeda. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.