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

Caspar Thorpe and Bence Babcsán wrote their first original composition, titled naphajlat, in the spring of 2024. As a result of this collaboration, they continued to work together as a duo: the backbone of their ever-expanding repertoire consists of original compositions and arrangements that draw on the soundscapes of Hungarian and Balkan folk music. Their musical world emphasises natural sound and a refined style of expression, paired with polished, focused instrumental playing. Capturing the essence of folk music, they sometimes create intimate atmospheres, while at other times they invite the audience to dance with rhythmic, light-hearted music. For this concert, they are joined by guests Tamás Smuk and Nikolas Mantzourakis, with whom they perform their favorite Bulgarian, Romanian, Armenian, Macedonian, Greek, and original melodies, spiced with plenty of improvisation. In addition to the instrumental melodies, Bori Magyar’s enchanting voice makes the program even more memorable.

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

Artisjus Award-winning violinist Frankie Látó founded his new quartet in 2023, bringing together the traditions of jazz-rock and fusion jazz with the freedom of contemporary improvisation. The ensemble’s repertoire is built primarily around original compositions, drawing significant inspiration from Miles Davis’s electric period as well as the musical legacy of Joe Zawinul and Weather Report. The quartet’s sound evokes the spirit of the seminal American and European jazz-rock groups of the 1970s, while reinterpreting the genre through a contemporary perspective and a fresh artistic approach. Virtuosity, musical interaction, and improvisation play equally important roles in their performances, while the compositions themselves form a cohesive and distinctive musical identity. One of the ensemble’s defining characteristics is its placement of the violin at the center of a musical landscape where the instrument is rarely featured as a lead voice. Frankie Látó’s artistic development was profoundly influenced by his mentor, the legendary French jazz violinist Didier Lockwood, whose musica

The Gypsy Jazz Band, led by guitarist Róbert Kárpáti and under the musical mentorship of world-famous violin virtuoso Roby Lakatos, exploded into the public consciousness in 2018 as one of the highlights of Hungarian musical culture. The band has grown into one of the most authentically sounding formations of the jazz-manouche genre. The band is a regular guest at domestic festivals. Róbert Kárpáti – guitar, Myriam Lakatos – vocal, Roby Lakatos – violin, László Kökény – guitar, Laszlo Bóni – violin, Tibor Pintér – guitar, Kálmán Cséki – piano, Noémi Flór – bass

Sat, Jul 11, 8:00 PM

Fusio Group feat. Erika Kertész: New Visions – album premiere (HU)

Opus Jazz Club / Ferencvaros / Map

At the end of 2025, the Fusio Group released its ninth album, New Visions, featuring Erika Kertész. The band, which has been active for over 30 years, was formed from the country’s leading artists. Their program consists of compositions by bandleader, drummer-composer Péter Szendőfi, whose musical world is closest to the fusion jazz genre and spans an extremely wide spectrum of moods and dynamics, ranging from lyrical, ballad-like, sensitive songs to energetic, virtuosic themes and grand instrumental solos. Since 2024, the band’s regular guest has been Erika Kertész, whose presence has given their work a new direction. The singer’s voice and performance style harmonize superbly with the instrumental pieces, while her collaboration also brings English-language lyrics to several previously instrumental tracks. As a result, the music on the new album is an intriguing and unique blend that promises an exceptionally diverse and varied soundscape.

Sat, Jul 11, 8:30 PM

The radiocafé presents: Elsa Valle Bakary

Budapest Jazz Club / Ujlipotvaros / Map

The Cuban singer Elsa Valle, who lives in Hungary and is known for her vibrant energy, always performs with a fitting accompaniment. Elsa Valle – vocal, Gábor Szalay – guitar, Viktor Hárs – bass, Zsolt Mádai – drums

The duo of Myrtill Micheller and Tibor Pintér, successful for over ten years, performs monthly at the BJC. Their repertoire primarily consists of jazz standards, evergreens, and jazzy adaptations of pop songs. Their brilliant and improvisational performance offers a unique concert experience. The well-coordinated duo prepares a new, originally interpreted composition for every occasion. Myrtill Micheller – vocal, Tibor Pintér – guitar