STANKO QUINTET, TOMASZ

Tomasz Stanko’s smouldering Slavic soul music and grainy-toned trumpet finds a new context on the Manfred Eicher-produced 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, including two prodigiously gifted Finns into his group, pianist Alexi Tuomarila and drummer Olavi Louhivuori, 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.

Estimated despatch 21-30 days after ordering.