Live Jazz in Budapest

Tue, Jun 30, 8:30 PM

ALERANT Jazz Night: Budapest Bossanova

Budapest Jazz Club / Ujlipotvaros / Map

Authentic bossa nova vibes from Brasil, intimate, light tunes with traditional bossa rhythm. Gábor Hurták – guitar, vocal, Gábor Szalay – guitar , Balázs Földváry – bass, Csaba Kőfalvi – drums

Thu, Jul 2, 8:00 PM

Dezső Oláh Trio: Intermezzo (HU)

Opus Jazz Club / Ferencvaros / Map

“Have you ever felt that our life is just an intermezzo? We spend most of our time trying to achieve our goals and desires but on the way towards the destination, there are several stations. These stations are connected by intermezzos before we know how, when, why and with whom we will travel on. Can it be the time when we truly live? While standing at the crossroads, we have a chance to contemplate. To live the very moment. The end of the day always includes the possibility of the following day – just like Tuesday is hidden in Monday, then Wednesday in Tuesday… How to go on? The only thing we know is that there will never be two Wednesdays which are the same. Problems change but the journey doesn’t: forward! We just try to lead Monday into Tuesday, and so on…”, says Dezső Oláh about his trio programme Intermezzo.

More than half a century after his passing, Jimi Hendrix remains one of the most influential figures in the history of popular music. VBW Experience pays tribute to the legendary guitarist by reimagining his iconic compositions through the lenses of jazz, blues, and rock, blending respect for the originals with a fresh, contemporary approach and a strong spirit of improvisation. Founded by guitarist Dániel Várnai, the band features drummer István Baló, one of the most influential figures in Hungarian jazz, and bassist Csaba Winterverber, known for his work with numerous acclaimed Hungarian pop and rock artists. Special guest of the evening is Mike Gotthard, one of Hungary’s most outstanding guitarists. On this special concert, Hendrix’s timeless music is brought to life from a new perspective, enriched by creative interplay, spontaneous improvisation, and the distinctive musical voice of the ensemble. Dániel Várnai – guitar, vocal, Csaba Winterverber – bass guitar, István Baló – drum Guest: Mike Gotthard – guitar

Sat, Jul 4, 8:00 PM

Károly Gáspár Trio (HU)

Opus Jazz Club / Ferencvaros / Map

Pianist and composer Károly Gáspár, who is celebrating his 50th birthday this year, is one of the best-known artists on the Hungarian jazz scene. To date, he has released six highly successful albums either with his trio or as a solo artist (The Outsider; Salvation; Philosophy; Tribute to Giants; Centuries Suite; Peace – Time), which mainly feature his own compositions alongside some jazz standards. Gáspár will now draw from his latest album, Peace – Time, while also performing unique arrangements of well-known jazz classics. Released in 2025, Peace – Time tastefully blends the stylistic elements and moods of classical music, jazz standards, and sophisticated pop songs under the theme of peace – both in the literal sense and as an inner state of mind –, also incorporating motifs from various folk music traditions. The album’s overall tone suggests a positive vision of the future, offering listeners a glimmer of hope even in difficult times.

Áron Tálas and Ádám Klausz’s unconventional keyboard–drums duo masterfully blends the pulsating grooves of modern hip-hop, funk, and drum’n’bass with the harmonic and melodic world of jazz. The project was born out of the idea of street performing, with the hidden intention of bringing this kind of music to people who might otherwise never encounter it. Pianist-drummer Áron Tálas has shown in numerous other projects — including Borbély Workshop and his own trio — that professional mastery and cheeky humor don’t cancel each other out, but rather enhance the creative process. Meanwhile, Ádám Klausz has proven his versatility and openness as the drummer of acts like Co Lee and the Nagy Emma Quintet. Áron Tálas – keys, Ádám Klausz – drum

BMC commemorates Béla Szakcsi Lakatos, who passed away in 2022, with a concert each year. He maintained a two-decade working relationship with BMC, enriching the catalogue of BMC Records with a total of 10 albums, covering a wide variety of musical styles. In keeping with the diversity of his career, different musicians and formations will perform at the commemorative concerts, including those who have played with Szakcsi for many years, as well as who have had little or no opportunity to accompany him on his musical adventures, but they all share a common spirit of creation that is close to the artistic world of the legendary jazz pianist. This concert will be a freely improvised encounter between four generations and four distinct musical perspectives, as each musician represents a different style from the broad and colorful spectrum of jazz. Béla Szakcsi Lakatos had planned to give a concert with this same lineup before the pandemic, but it had to be postponed due to lockdowns – and this upcoming reschedule will also serve as a fitting tribute.

The group started working professionally in 1990, and has been recognised from the beginning by audience and critics alike as one of the best young European mainstream jazz trio. Kálmán Oláh – piano, János Egri – bass, Elemér Balázs – drums

Attila Kiss has learned the ways of jazz in New York City. On this night, the audience can hear his compositions. . Attila Kiss – guitar, Árpád Tzumo – piano, Sándor Zsemlye – alto-saxophone, Gábor Vermes – bass-guitar, Szilárd Banai – drums