Live Jazz in Budapest

József Balázs is one of the most recognized keyboard players of the middle generation in Hungary, who who is equally at home in the world of ethno-jazz and the mainstream of the genre. The pianist is the leader of the East Gipsy Band, which has been a smash hit at the legendary Blue Note in New York and the Detroit Jazz Festival. Since the formation of the Elemér Balázs Group, he has been the band's other main driving force alongside his brother, making his first recording debut with them (My New Way, 1997), and has been involved as an arranger and songwriter on all of the band's subsequent albums. He has played in the Kőszegi Quartet and has been a member of the László Dés Septet since 2003. In 2005 he joined the Contemporary Gregorian project together with his brother. He has performed with many world-famous musicians such as Randy Brecker, Erik Truffaz, Charlie Mariano, Pat Metheny, Robin Eubanks, Stéphane Belmondo, Bobby Watson and Steve Houben. In addition to his success in the jazz world, he is also recognised as an arranger and composer in other genres (pop, film music).

In her solo project, Lucy Markus brings together jazz, soul and R&B in a seamless and deeply personal musical language. Through her original compositions and lyrics, she creates an authentic artistic world where the improvisational freedom of jazz meets the groove, warmth and emotional depth of neo-soul. Her music is both intimate and vibrant, sophisticated yet immediately engaging. For this project, Lucy Markus is joined by her long-time musical partners: József Balázs (piano, keyboards), Péter Oláh (double bass, bass guitar) and András Peczek Lakatos (drums), musicians with whom she has shared a close artistic connection for many years. Their remarkable musical chemistry finds new expression in the material from the album LOTUS , which explores the meeting point of contemporary jazz and neo-soul while evoking a distinctive metropolitan atmosphere. Featuring original compositions rich in groove, expressive improvisation and refined textures, the concert invites audiences on a compelling and immersive musical journey. Lucy Markus – vocal, József Balázs – piano, Péter Oláh – bass, And