R.I.P. - Michał Urbaniak passed away on December 20, 2025

Born in Warsaw, Urbaniak was always associated with the violin. Indeed, he studied the violin, but he also taught himself to play the saxophone. As such, he can be heard playing saxophone on early recordings and occasionally later on.

He began his career in the quintet of composer and pianist Krzysztof Komeda, between 1962 and 1964. He also contributed to recordings by Polish musicians, including Czesław Niemen, with whom he would later collaborate again in the 1970s. Afterward, he spent some time in Sweden before finally forming his own band in Poland. A live concert from 1971 still exists, in which he showcases his virtuosity on three saxophones (soprano, tenor, and baritone).

He began his career in Poland in 1962 with the quintet of composer and pianist Krzysztof Komeda, between 1962 and 1964. Important releases such as "Paratyphus B," "Super Constellation," and especially "Atma" followed. The 1974 album "Fusion," recorded in Germany, was another milestone on the path to his next direction, as this particular style of Polish jazz, familiar from artists like Tomasz Stańko, gradually transformed into a fusion of jazz and rock in the American style. This was already clearly evident in the 1975 album "Fusion III," which was created after he emigrated to the USA with his then-wife, singer Urszula Dudziak. She was the only remaining member of the original Polish lineup.

Thus, Urbaniak established himself as a key figure in the American fusion scene. Numerous releases followed, none achieving comparable success. Among various collaborations with other renowned musicians, his work with Miles Davis on the album "Tutu" is certainly noteworthy. Much later, he dedicated an entire album to the trumpeter, "Miles of Blue," released in 2009. The saxophone was also featured on this album, and numerous fusion stars from the USA contributed. In between, several releases emerged that musically leaned more towards jazz, and he moved away from the fusion genre.

I first became aware of the musician during my early musical education in the early seventies, when I became increasingly involved with the burgeoning fusion scene. It was one particular release that truly captivated me with his unique playing style. This was a double LP, my 157th and 158th at the time, purchased on December 23, 1972. The recordings for "New Violin Summit" were made in conjunction with the Berlin Jazz Festival in November 1971. Alongside Don "Sugarcane" Harris, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Nipso Brantner, Urbaniak was one of four violinists who presented six songs. They were supported by brilliant musicians: Terje Rypdal on guitar, Wolfgang Dauner on keyboards, Neville Whitehead on bass, and Robert Wyatt (yes, of Soft Machine) on drums.

One composition by Urbaniak particularly captivated me: "Valium"! And that opened the door for me. All of the aforementioned releases soon found their way into my record collection. And to this day, he remains an integral part of the unique Polish jazz scene for me, because he never lost that distinctive voice.

Thank you, Michał, for your outstanding music!

Valium (Jean Luc Ponty · Don "Sugarcane" Harris · Nipso Brantner · Michal Urbaniak)

Michał Urbaniak - Manhattan Man

Michał Urbaniak - City Lights

 

In memory of the "Urbanator", nice and carefuly prepared, thank you PulseWave, R.I.P. Maestro..

 

R.I.P