Tomasz Stańko (born 1942) - the most renowned Polish jazz trumpet player, a pioneer of the jazz avant-garde. In the 1960s he was the leader of the quartet Jazz Darings, and later played in Trzaskowski's and Komeda's bands. In 1967-1973 he had his own quartet, one of the most renowned Polish modern jazz bands. Later he played with various musicians regardless of artistic conception, and gave more and more solo performances. In the 1990s he recorded for the prestigious Munich label ECM Records. An important part of Stańko's work is the music he has composed for films and theatre. Selected works: 'Jazz Jamboree'61', 'Astigmatic' (1965), 'Music for K' (1970), 'Balladyna' (1975), 'Grand Standard Orchestra' (1982), 'Tomasz Stańko: Polish Jazz' (1989), Goodbye Maria' (1993), 'Mother Joanna' (1995), 'From the Green Hill' (1999).
