The Copenhagen Session Vol. 1 - tomasz Stanko Scandinavian Art Ensemble - Vinyl LP Record (Arrives in 50 days)

For years, whispers circulated through the jazz scenes of Denmark and Poland—rumors of a lost recording session featuring the legendary Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko and a group of Scandinavian and Polish musicians. Now, nearly a decade after the session and seven years after Sta nko’s passing, these long-awaited recordings are finally seeing the light of day. The first of two albums, ‘The Copenhagen Sessions Vol. 1’ is set for release on May 16th, 2025 on April Records. The project originated at Vallekilde Højskole in Denmark, where Sta ko was invited to teach at JazzDanmark’s annual Summer Session. A storied program that has hosted luminaries including Bill Frisell and Anat Cohen, the summer school became the birthplace of this unexpected ensemble. Here, alongside a dynamic ensemble of young musicians, Sta ko found renewed inspiration, embracing their compositions as much as his own—a rare occurrence for an artist known for leading his own groups. Scandinavian Art Ensemble with Tomasz Sta ko is the result: two albums of expansive, deeply expressive music that merge the melancholic depth of Polish jazz with the spacious, atmospheric qualities of the Scandinavian sound. As trumpeter Tomasz D browski recalls, Sta ko wasn’t just a mentor—he was an equal, driven by curiosity and the desire to push boundaries. “He wanted to play our music. He was always listening, always searching.” Across these two albums recorded at The Village Recordings in 2016, listeners will hear Sta ko’s unmistakable tone interwoven with compositions by both himself and the ensemble members. Pieces like ‘The Dark Eyes of Martha Hirsch’ and ‘Before the Rain’ showcase not just his signature lyricism, but also his willingness to step back, listen, and let the younger generation shape the sound. Beyond his unmistakable sound, Sta ko’s influence was about energy—his presence elevated those around him. Bassist Richard Andersson put it simply: “He brings together the energies, and makes us all play better than usual.” This project captures that essence: a legendary artist meeting the next generation on equal footing, creating something entirely unexpected. A decade after the session, the members of the Scandinavian Art Ensemble have forged their own paths, shaping the jazz landscapes of Copenhagen, Malmö, Reykjavik, and beyond. But the impact of their time with Sta ko remains profound. 'Releasing these albums is about more than just the music,' D browski says. 'It’s about preserving the spirit of Stanko—his generosity, his curiosity, his way of bringing people together. Even after all these years, his presence can still be felt in every note we played.'

Label: L'autre | Origin: Holland