A pioneer of experimental and avant-garde jazz, Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko first shook the Polish jazz community at the age of 20 with his innovative group, the aptly named Jazz Darings, in 1962. His meeting and collaborations with jazz legend Krzystof Komeda the following year was a turning point in his career, influencing much of Stanko's later work, producing various projects paying tribute to his mentor throughout his career. Formed in 1968, the Tomasz Stanko Quintet has seen numerous personnel changes but has remained a cornerstone of Polish and European jazz. With well over 20 recordings to his credit, the award-winning and remarkable artist released the acclaimed Dark Eyes in 2009.