Michał Urbaniak, a Polish jazz musician, composer and arranger who gained international fame through his collaboration with legends such as Miles Davis, has died at the age of 82. The artist passed away on 20 December 2025, as his wife, Dorota Urbaniak, announced in a touching post on social media.
Michał Urbaniak was born on 22 January 1943 in Warsaw. His music career began in the 1960s, when he played the violin and saxophone, blending jazz with elements of folk and rock. In the 1970s he emigrated to the United States, where he achieved international success. He is best known for the album „Tutu” recorded with Miles Davis, which made him one of the few Polish musicians to collaborate with this jazz icon.
In recent years, Urbaniak struggled with health problems, including after a cardiac procedure, from which he took a long time to recover. Nevertheless, he remained artistically active, promoting Polish culture around the world.
Urbaniak’s death prompted numerous reactions in the music and media worlds. Journalists remember him as a master who changed the face of jazz. The artist’s daughter, Mika Urbaniak, bid farewell to her father in moving words on social media. His output includes dozens of albums and compositions that will forever remain part of Polish and world music history.
Michał Urbaniak was not only a gifted instrumentalist but also an ambassador of Polish culture. His passing is a great loss for the jazz community.
