Balladyna – 50th Anniversary / Luminessence

An essential document of European jazz in the 1970s — Balladyna, by Tomasz Stanko, was released 50 years ago.

“From the first notes of Tomasz Stańko‘s solo on the titular track, he burns completely. Somehow, he produces sounds out of the trumpet that are so visceral it sounds as though he is crying, or even screaming. He is not just playing; he is breathing fire.” – The Free Jazz Collective

The record will be re-issued on vinyl on 15 May as part of ECM’s Luminessence Series, arriving in a tip-on gatefold jacket with new photos.

The album marked the full flowering of the creative alliance of Stanko and Edward Vesala, an important musical collaboration that would last for more than a decade.

“No one played percussion like Edward Vesala. His playing had scope and colour… He played melodically and provided an excellent counterpoint to my lyrical language.” – Tomasz Stanko