Polish radio have reported the death of the alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader Zbigniew Namysłowski who has passed away at the age of 82. An icon in Poland for his appearances on such albums as Komeda's Astigmatic in the 60s and his own classic albums such as 1975's Kujaviak Goes Funky Namysłowski began as a jazz musician in the mid-50s initially playing cello, piano and trombone and appearing at the Jazz Festival in Sopot in 1957. Later he switched to alto and moved away from trad jazz to more modern styles. His album Lola (1964) was the first album recorded by a Polish jazzman to gain an international release. As a composer his best known tunes include 'Jasmin Lady' and 'Western Ballad'. In his career he also experimented in fusing Polish folkloric styles with modern jazz and also arranged Mozart for jazz combo.
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