Tomaz Stanko October 19, 2006

early show- 7:30pm
late show- 10:00pm
tickets: $18

TOMASZ STANKO was 20 and a graduate of the Cracow Music Academy when he formed his first band, the Jazz Darings, with pianist Adam Makowicz in 1962. Inspired by early Ornette Coleman and the innovations of Coltrane, Miles Davis and George Russell, the group is often cited by music historians as the first European group to play free jazz. For the trumpeter, its importance was eclipsed by the invitation to join Krzystof Komedaís quintet the following year. Stanko has acknowledged that much of his subsequent musical direction and his own compositional style was influenced by Komeda. Stanko toured for five years with Komeda, appeared on eleven albums with him, and also made contributions to all of the films scores that Komeda made in Poland.

During the 1980's Stanko explored many approaches to improvisation. He travelled with Vesala to India and recorded trumpet solos in the Taj Mahal; again with Vesala, he hooked up with Chico Freeman and Howard Johnson in New York. He worked extensively with Cecil Taylor in large ensemble contexts, and led a number of groups of his own, such as COCX, which deployed post-"Bitches Brew" rock-rhythms, and Freelectronic, an ahead-of-its-time exploration of electro-acoustic options. "Bluish," a trio recording with Arild Andersen and Jon Christensen preceded a return to ECM.

Currently, Tomasz Stanko has maintained a Polish quartet, which has now become a priority for him. Pianist Marcin Wasilewski, bassist S³awomir Kurkiewicz and drummer Micha³ Miœkiewicz were already working together as a (very) young trio when Stanko first heard them at the beginning of the 1990's, and in 1994 they began to work together, initially on theatre music, some of which was recorded for the Polish Govi label. They quickly developed into his band of choice for all Polish engagements, working with him on theatre and film music initially. The pianist, bassist and drummer have also built up a reputation as a unit in their own right, working under the name Simple Acoustic Trio. 'Soul of Things' is the quartet's first record release.

There is a timeless feel to 'Soul of Things' that relates to Stanko's roots as a player; this forward-looking trumpet player is also looking back here. His all-inclusive music on this occasion seems to connect with early influences. While sounding unmistakably like himself he also triggers memories of his first heroes.

www.tomaszstanko.com

Official Website: http://www.getshowtix.com/regattabar/moreinfo.cgi?id=897