Hungarian Jazz meets early music
– The Elemér Balázs group

University of Glasgow Chapel
Thursday 5th February, 2009
7.30pm

Admission: £12 / £6 (concession) on door.

The Elemér Balázs Group

Play and sing pieces composed by the likes of Pergolesi, Handel or Guerrero with a totally new approach. This is not an attempt to ride the wave of so-called 'crossover' movement but it invests renaissance and baroque melodies with new instrumentation and arrangements, the music combines the simple majesty of a bygone age with the freshness of jazz.

"Elemér is one of the best drummers around right now, in my opinion. He plays with such musicality and finesse and has the ability to listen inside each musical moment with the kind of spontaneous decision making that plays with him to sound their best. He also has a wonderful touch on the instrument – I always enjoy the chance to play with him and to hear him." Pat Metheny.

Elemér Balázs has been a central figure of jazz life in Hungary for 15 years both as a drummer and as a composer.

The Elemér Balázs Group, one of the most popular jazz groups in Hungary, was founded in 2000. The band, consisting of highly qualified jazz musicians, has achieved great results at home and has built upon its success through impressive performances at prestigious European jazz festivals.

The Group has created a strikingly unique melodious sound underscored by interesting rhytmic patterns, and given a fascinating texture by the tonal contrast of the male and female lead-vocals.
 
Members of the group. Source:

Klára Hajdú – vocals, Gábor Winand – vocals, András Dés – percussion, Dávid Lamm – guitar, Márton Soós – double bass, József Balázs – keyboards, Elemér Balázs – drums 

First published: 12 January 2012

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