Jazz on 3: Tomasz Stanko New York Quartet

We’re off to New York again this week on Jazz on 3 – or rather, it’s come to us, as we revisit a fantastic gig from an old master and his new Manhattan band.

The master in question is actually as European as they come in jazz terms – Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko has helped to spearhead the music over here for decades, but he upped sticks to the States a few years back and this latest quartet is his – and our – reward.

Stanko’s trademark flurries and brooding melodies remain undimmed, but as my guest in the studio John Fordham says, there’s an added New York edge. Pianist David Virelles (likened by John to a young Herbie Hancock no less) elegantly blends stab chords reminiscent of his native Cuba and searching, boppish solos. Thomas Morgan (bass) and Gerald Cleaver (drums) probe and push, occasionally bursting into really heavy grooves (wait for Cleaver’s solo towards the end of the gig!).

And we’ve an exclusive session recording from another 70-year-old later in the programme, one of the pioneers of jazz vibraphone, Gary Burton. He’s in the studio with his latest guitarist protégé Julian Lage, performing as a duet for the first time and providing a warm and gentle end to the show.

Join me on Monday 14 October from 11pm for these memorable performances or listen online for seven days after the broadcast.

Jez

If you have comments about the show, or requests for music you’d like to hear, do get in touch at [email protected] or on Twitter @BBCJazzon3.