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R.I.P. Jack DeJohnette

Tomasz Stańko – Balladyna 

Balladynais an album by Polish jazz trumpeter and composer Tomasz Stańko recorded in December 1975 and released on ECM in April the following year. It was his debut for the prestigious ECM Records label and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of European avant-garde jazz.

Key Album Facts

Personnel: The quartet featured Stańko on trumpet, Tomasz Szukalski (tenor/soprano saxophone), Dave Holland (bass), and Edward Vesala (drums).

Recording: The session took place in December 1975 at Tonstudio Bauer in Ludwigsburg, Germany, produced by Manfred Eicher.

Style: The album is noted for its "predatory lyricism," blending dark, atmospheric melodies with high-energy free jazz exploration

The AllMusic review by Michael G. Nastos awarded the album 3½ stars stating "as pleasant as it is to listen to all the way through, it is equally satisfying, and lies deep within the souls of these four adroit and accomplished musicians playing together as one."

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