Following the success of The Copenhagen Session Vol. 1, hailed by critics worldwide as a vital rediscovery of the late Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stańko, Scandinavian Art Ensemble now presents the second and final chapter: The Copenhagen Session Vol. 2, set for release on November 7th, 2025 on April Records.
For years, whispers circulated through the jazz scenes of Denmark and Poland - rumors of a lost recording session featuring Stańko alongside a group of Scandinavian and Polish musicians. Nearly a decade after the session and seven years after his passing, these long-awaited recordings have finally emerged, capturing a master musician at his most open and adventurous.
The release of Volume 1 earlier this year drew glowing reviews from across the globe. Jazzwise (UK) praised how “Stańko retains his sound identity and individuality of approach,” while All About Jazz (USA) noted that the set “illustrates his hallmark willingness to challenge himself by finding much younger musicians who could bring out new nuances of his playing.” Citizen Jazz (FR) admired “a precise art of the essential,” celebrating the music’s coherence despite its variety.
Recorded at The Village Recordings in 2016, these two albums reveal the full breadth of Stańko’s artistry in dialogue with the next generation. While his signature lyricism and haunting tone are unmistakable, The Copenhagen Session shows him equally willing to step back, embrace the music of others, and let a new ensemble shape the sound.
As trumpeter Tomasz Dąbrowski recalls: “He wanted to play our music. He was always listening, always searching.” That spirit shines brightly throughout Vol. 2, where Scandinavian spaciousness, youthful energy, and Stańko’s unmistakable voice converge into something timeless.
For the members of Scandinavian Art Ensemble, now established names on the Nordic and European scenes, the project remains a defining encounter. Bassist Richard Andersson put it simply: “He brings together the energies, and makes us all play better than usual.”
With The Copenhagen Session Vol. 2, the story reaches its conclusion - preserving not only the sound, but the enduring spirit of Tomasz Stańko.