Tomasz Stanko Quartet - September Night (ECM)

Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko cut a distinguished figure in the European jazz world during his seventy-six years on Earth, releasing dozens of starkly beautiful records over the course of four decades. Though he died of lung cancer in 2018, that’s not meant the end of his career. Recorded in Munich in 2004, September Night documents an especially fruitful show. Joined by the Marcin Wasilewski Trio (pianist Marcin Wasilewski, bassist Slawomir Kurkiewicz, drummer Michel Miskiwicz), Stanko spins out a sparkling web of original compositions. The trumpeter in some ways epitomized the ECM sound, with atmospheric, melodic tunes that defined the notion of chamber jazz, and many of those can be found here – cf. gorgeous takes on “Song For Sarah,” “Kaetano,” and an absolutely stunning “Elegant Piece.” But this is no classical recital, so the live spirit comes through when the quartet kicks up the energy level a notch or three; “Euforila” and “Celina” bring the fire, particularly with Wasilewski’s finger-busting solos. The leader himself rips on the final number “Theatrical,” as a reminder that being a pioneer in chamber jazz doesn’t mean a soft touch. For the Stanko Quartet, this September Night was clearly a good one.