Djabe special guest Steve Hackett: Summer Storms And Rocking Rivers Double vinyl record (2x200 g), GR-107-01
The new live album of Djabe is the third record in succession they release together with guitarist Steve Hackett from Genesis. The first album was the Sipi Memorial Concert of 2008, followed by the double CD entitled In The Footsteps of Attila and Genghis, released in 2011 of their Middle European tour in 2010. The band borrowed the title from Steve Hackett’s tour blog in which the guitar legend describes his wanderings with his Hungarian friends across Russia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Austria and Hungary.
Summer Storms And Rocking Rivers is the second album that takes its title from Steve’s blog. The double album was recorded in Bratislava during the tour of 2011. During the July shows the band’s journey was interspersed with big summer storms in Hungary and Slovakia. The rivers in the title refer to the Danube, linking Bratislava and Budapest, as well as the Tisza which touches the city of Tokaj.
The second stop of the tour was the MMC Club in Bratislava, where the band had been awaited by Slovakian fans hungry for Genesis melodies. The fact that Steve Hackett had never performed before in Slovakia gave a special intensity to the show. The 2011 tour featured a lot of new elements compared to the 2010 concert series, as this time Steve, at the request of Attila Égerházi, also brought an acoustic instrument besides his inseparable Fernandes electric guitar. Thus the playlist could be extended to include acoustic songs like Ace of Wands, the extended version of Firth to Fifth, and also Horizons and Blood on the Rooftops, Steve’s best-known solo pieces from the Genesis era. Compared to 2010, the setlist played in Bratislava brought changes concerning the Djabe songs, too, as Scenes, Rush For Ménes and Flowers Stillness were also included. Steve could fit very well in these compositions and several already classic ‘Djabe special guest Steve Hackett’ songs were played. To name just a few: The Steppes, City of Habi, Butterfly, Last Train To Istanbul, In That Quiet Earth, Distant Dance
The interesting thing about the album is that it will not be released on CD, only on the traditional vinyl record. The design is of extra quality, due to the gatefold cover. The cases containing the records are also printed in four colors, but the most important information is that the records are pressed on 200 gram audiophile vinyl. Gramy Records made this decision to support vinyl releases and encourage the listeners to get back to physical recorded music. However, those who don’t feel like dusting their record player or buying a new one will not have to despair either, as the Bratislava concert will be also released on DVD by Christmas 2013.
One of the interesting features of the double album is that the fourth side ends with the closing part of Genesis classic Los Endos, which was recorded not in Bratislava in 2011, but in Budapest, on the stage of IBS in November 2012. As an extra specialty, this number features Mezzoforte icon Gulli Briem as second drummer.
Djabe: Down And Up
5.1 Surround release, DVD Audio/Video
Djabe released its previous studio album in 2008, and safe to say the new album Down And Up has been well worth waiting for. The music is simply first class both in both standard and in execution. We’ve been used to this quality and ambition from the band since its inception, and so no surprise therefore, that up to now 42 countries have invited Djabe to perform.
In November 2012 the double vinyl and CD version released. and now the 5.1 version is released, with many extras.
The surround release of the album offer a wide range possibilities for the audiophile lovers. The disc is DVD10 with two playable sides: one side with DVD Audio content, one side DVD Video content. With this solution all the DVD Video, DVD Audio and Blu-Ray player owners can playback the fantastic 5.1 sound.
On the DVD Audio side (player with DVD audio logo required), the whole album can be found in MLP 5.1 and MLP 2.0. This is the best quality digital replication of the original 24Bit/96kHz original recordings. Audio side contains one extra audio track, Steve Hackett’s composition entitled Camino Royale. The DVD Video side contains the whole album and the Camino Royale in DTS 5.1 and PCM 2.0 stereo. Uniquely the listener can choose from two different stereo masters. In addition to the 24/96 digital, you can listen to the analogue master used for the High End LP pressing. This solution is a good option for the High End testers to check the digital vs analogue differences. The DVD Video contains visual extras. Live performance of the title track and the Dark Soup and the video clip of the Tears For Peace.
The compositions, arrangement and studio recordings of Down And Up extol mainly the talent and exigency of Tamás Barabás. Naturally, some tunes referring to the world of some earlier Djabe recordings written by Attila Égerházi and Ferenc Kovács on the album. A special feature is that the last song of the album, Tears For Peace, was written by Joanna Hackett, wife of Steve Hackett. Here we must mention that the famous Genesis guitarist, who can almost be considered a Djabe member, is in five compositions on the album, moreover, he sings the track Tears For Peace.
While listening to the album we take part in the usual fresh and colourful music journey of Djabe and the band once more shows its new faces through ten new tracks portraying the moods and expressions of past experiences – downs and ups.
Tamás Barabás is a world renowned bass player. On Down And Up he actually plays a lot of instruments on the album, from which we can highlight his brilliant guitar performance. Few people are probably aware, that he started his career as a solo guitar player.
Szilárd Banai has grown into one of the best drummers on the horizon in the past few years, which is also proved by his international acknowledgments. His unique rhythmical and musical approaches add an enjoyable sense of colour to the compositions.
From the very beginning, Attila Égerházi’s guitar texture has been the basic characteristic of the Djabe sound. On this album, this essence is represented by Awakening City and Hills Of The Valley.
Ferenc Kovács brings his special musical ability on the trumpet and violin. The text he wrote for song The Dark Soup is of outstanding in its depth, and he performs it in his characteristic singing style.
Zoltán Kovács’s piano and keyboard playing have become an ever increasing important element of Djabe’s music wonderfully confirmed throughout this album.
Guest artists enrich this album with special colours through being exceptional musicians and through the musical instruments themselves. Steve Hackett (UK) plays the guitar and sings, John Nugent (USA) plays the tenor saxophone, Malik Mansurov (AZ) plays the ancient tar. From among the Hungarian musician friends Kálmán Balogh plays the cimbalom, Péter Bede plays the shepherd flute, Judit Herczeg is doing backing vocals and Gábor Veress plays the flute.
Djabe will tour again with the Down And Up album in surround sound!
The dates are follows: 27th February, 2013. Kecskemét, Kulturális és Konferencia Központ, 7 pm. 1st March, 2013 Budapest, PECSA Music Hall, 8 pm 2nd March, 2013 Oradea, Romania
Djabe is one of the World’s leading acts in surround studio recording and live solutions. This is a unique experience for all music lovers, especially the 5.1 in concerts.
Gulli Briem (drummer of Mezzoforte) will join to Djabe for all gigs, and John Nugent (Sax player Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Woody Hermann) also joins to Budapest and Oradea shows. John played in few tracks on Down And Up, but both of them got important rule in the show.
Djabe: Down And Up 2LP (180 heavy vinyl), CD (+bonus video), DVD-Audio
Djabe released its previous studio album in 2008, and safe to say the new album Down And Up has been well worth waiting for. The music is simply first class both in both standard and in execution. We've been used to this quality and ambition from the band since its inception, and so no surprise therefore, that up to now 42 countries have invited Djabe to perform.
The composition, scoring and studio work of Down And Up extol mainly the talent and exigency of Tamás Barabás. Naturally, some tunes referring to the world of some earlier Djabe recordings written by Attila Égerházi and Ferenc Kovács on the album. A special feature is that the last song of the album, Tears For Peace, was written by Joanna Hackett, wife of Steve Hackett. Here we must mention that the famous Genesis guitarist, who can almost be considered a Djabe member, is in five compositions on the album, moreover, he sings the track Tears For Peace.
While listening to the album we take part in the usual fresh and colourful music journey of Djabe and the band once more shows its new faces through ten new tracks portraying the moods and expressions of past experiences – downs and ups.
Tamás Barabás is a world renowned bass player. On Down And Up he actually plays a lot of instruments on the album, from which we can highlight his brilliant guitar performance. Few people are probably aware, that he started his career as a solo guitar player.
Szilárd Banai has grown into one of the best drummers on the horizon in the past few years, which is also proved by his international acknowledgments. His unique rhythmical and musical approaches add an enjoyable sense of colour to the compositions.
From the very beginning, Attila Égerházi's guitar texture has been the basic characteristic of the Djabe sound. On this album, this essence is represented by Awakening City and Hills Of The Valley.
Ferenc Kovács brings his special musical ability on the trumpet and violin. The text he wrote for song The Dark Soup is of outstanding in its depth, and he performs it in his characteristic singing style.
Zoltán Kovács's piano and keyboard playing have become an ever increasing important element of Djabe's music wonderfully confirmed throughout this album.
Guest artists enrich this album with special colours through being exceptional musicians and through the musical instruments themselves. Steve Hackett (UK) plays the guitar and sings, John Nugent (USA) plays the tenor saxophone, Malik Mansurov (AZ) plays the ancient tar. From among the Hungarian musician friends Kálmán Balogh plays the cimbalom, Péter Bede plays the shepherd flute, Judit Herczeg is doing backing vocals and Gábor Veress plays the flute.
The significance of the album is proved by the fact that the label, Gramy Records, has launched it on the market in all important recording forms. Besides the CD version, the sixty-two minutes material is also released on a double vinyl LP, on three sides of the record. On the fourth side, as a bonus, one studio and two concert recordings can be found of Djabe's special guest Steve Hackett.
All important previous recordings of Djabe have been released in surround sound, and of course Down And Up not exception among them. The best available consumer sound quality is the MLP on DVD-Audio format, therefore the music has been released in 5.1 sound , 24bit/96 kHz onto the disc. As usual for those customers who cannot play DVD-Audio, the excellent sound of DTS audio can be played on traditional DVD players. On the DVD there are video extras featuring; an interview on the production of the recording, concert videos and a video clip.
The CD release is on the 25th of October 2012. The double LP's release is on the 15th of November. The DVD-audio release is on the 30th of January 2013.
The new album will be played on the 30th of November in Budapest, IBS Stage, 8 o'clock. Address: 1021 Budapest, Tárogató út 2-4.
The most important guest musician, Steve Hackett is also staring in the concert.
Tickets are available in all ticket offices via Ticket Express network, or through the internet from www.gramy.com and www.tex.hu.
Further information (+36 1) 217 2300 or (+36 1) 217 1121
The tour introducing our Slices of Life album has probably been one of the greatest undertakings of the band. The slightly complex musical texture was performed for the audience during 2006. The tour began in Hungary
in February and it continued during the summer in Europe and the USA. Over 50,000 people saw the band on stage.
This programme might have been rehearsed the most. For a two-month period, 27 rehearsals had been realised altogether. We performed the whole album track by track. Only three compositions were played from the album Sheafs Are Dancing a guitar piece from the first Djabe album, and the angklung of course.
Wonderful memories are preserved from Hungary, Italy, Rochester, Prague, Klaipeda and several other concert locations. Carefully selected recordings, videos and photos of the tour are included on the double CD and DVD released in 2007 entitled Message from the Road, which features the entire set of the concert tour. Therefore, present publication features solely the concert held in Budapest on
3rd March, 2006 at the Petôfi Concert Hall, because the Message from the Road does not contain any recordings from this show. We reserved the Budapest recordings for this separate DVD only.
According to the original plans this DVD should have come out for Christmas 2007. However, the death of András Sipos postponed work on it and was finished completely in 2012 although the editing of the video recordings had begun as early as 2006. Now, seeing it at such a distance of time, this concert might be even more exciting. It has matured with time like some good wine.
The video recording was originally intended for 16:9 format but it was filmed with 4:3 video cameras. While editing the recordings I decided not to mask the screen to fit a 16:9 aspect ratio. Several interesting details would have got lost. However, the video can be enjoyed by zooming in. Therefore, this concert comes with two different aspect ratios. Those who wish to see all the details should watch it in 4:3 format, the ideal one on an older kind of TV set. Those with TVs in 16:9 format and would like the film to fit the screen should zoom in to get the originally intended ratio.
Alapi István: niXfactor Best Domestic Jazz album of the year
On Tuesday night, one of the greatest musical events the Fonogram – The Hungarian Music Awards Gala - took place. On the Millennium Theatre stage, in front of several hundred professional participants, and through the Hungarian Television live broadcast several hundreds of thousands, were able to watch the performance of many excellent artists from the Hungarian musical life, as well as share in the happiness of the award winners.
Fonogram awards were awarded in thirteen domestic as well as five international categories. During the two-hour show, well-known performers were presenting the diversity of Hungarian musical life. Next to these established stars were many young talents of the modern age and international levels. Furthermore different musical productions were given space on stage, which were created especially for this evening.
This year, Alapi István an artist of Gramy Records, won the award for Best Jazz Album with his CD entitled niXfactor.
This is an excellent studio album of the updated band in 2001. The Djabe music kept its original values, but the band made a further step on the road of improvement. The compositions and arrangement became more complex and are of a higher standard; new musicians made richer the already colorful palette of the sound. the excellent, young British saxophone player, joined Djabe for the recordings and also for the tour. The professional judges gave an eMeRTon award for the album in 2001 as best world music album of the year in Hungary.
Reissue 5.1 mix was done in 2010 by Barabás Tamás at Gramy Recording Studio.
The release contains 4 hours audio extras and 3 hours video extras. Among the audio extras you can listen (5.1 or stereo) to the whole concert of the Update tour 2001, recorded in Szolnok.
The double DVD housed in elegant digipak.
There is a one disc release, which contains the first disc. This can be bought in a DVD Audio Super Jewel Box packaging.
Musicians:
Sipos András – vocal, percussion
Égerházi Attila – guitar
Barabás Tamás – bass guitar
Kovács Ferenc – violin, trumpet
Kovács Zoltán – keyboards
Banai Szilárd - drums
Ben Castle – saxophone, bass clarinet, flute
Said Tichiti – vocal, gembri, karbakat
DISC 1 – DVD10
This is a both sided DVD10 disc. If you insert the disc into the player with this label up: “This side up DVD Video”, you will reach the DVD Video content. If you want to listen to the high resolution, 24 bit/96 kHz audio tracks, please insert the disc into you player with this label up: “This side up DVD Audio”. In order to play the DVD Audio content, DVD Audio compatible player required.
DVD Video content
Update album: Update, Flying, First Step, Lead Soldier, Clouds Dance, Erdő, erdő,
Desire, Mayombe, Winter Forest, My Way, Barraguira, Colours, Ya Dellali, Witchi Tia To.
5.1 DTS, 2.0 PCM audio 75:07
Video extras
Reissue interview (2010)
Barabás Tamás, Kovács Ferenc, Égerházi Attila.
Dolby Digital 2.0, 16:9
Ben Castle interview (2001)
Interview, My way studio recordings, Clouds Dance soprano solos, First Step tenor solos, Mayombe flute solo.
Dolby Digital 2.0, 4:3
Mayombe TV clip
Video clip edited from TV broadcasts.
Dolby Digital 2.0, 4:3
eMeRTon Award
Djabe received an eMeRTon Award in 2001.
Dolby Digital 2.0, 4:3
Flying DVD outtakes
Outtakes from the Flying DVD, recorded during the 2001 Update tour. On the Flying DVD different versions can be seen. Flying, First Step, Lead Soldier, Erdő, erdő (Petőfi Csarnok), Clouds Dance (Pesti Vigadó).
5.1 DTS, PCM 2.0, 16:9
Audio extras
Update tour rehearsal at the Hajógyári Island 21st June 2001.:
First Step, Above the Skies, Update 2.2.1, Lead Soldier, Clouds Dance, Barraguira avagy 8 perc jazz, Winter Forest, Djabe.
Dolby Digital 2.0
Photo gallery: A lemezfelvétel, a turné és az eMeRTon díjátadás során készült fotók. Photos from the recording sessions, tour and eMeRTon gala.
DVD Audio content
Update album: Update, Flying, First Step, Lead Soldier, Clouds Dance, Erdő, erdő,
Desire, Mayombe, Winter Forest, My Way, Barraguira, Colours, Ya Dellali, Witchi Tia To.
5.1 MLP, 2.0 MLP audio 75:07
DISC 2 – DVD9
Update tour Szolnok concert 22nd June 2001 (audio only)
Village of the Sun, Ly-O-Lay Ale Loya, Underwater Sunlight, Gallop, Visions, Distant Dance, Witchi Tia To, Above The Skies, Tulamben, Update, Flying, First Step, Lead Soldier, Clouds Dance, Desire, My Way, Mayombe, Winter Forest, Barragiura, Djabe.
5.1 DTS, PCM 2.0 audio. 2 hours 22 mins.
Video extras
Bratislava Jazz Days 18th October 2002
Flying, Witchi Tia To, Clouds Dance, Colours, Camel Ride, Bratislava, Djabe.
Dolby Digital 2.0, 4:3
Television concert (2001)
Flying, Lead Soldier, Djabe.
Dolby Digital 2.0, 4:3
Audio extras
Radio broadcast – Live at the Nagykanizsa Jazz Festival 19th October 2001
Interview, Clouds Dance, Village of the Sun, Distant Dance, Djabe.
Dolby Digital 2.0
Long awaited anniversary concert released on double DVD
Djabe 15 - 2DVD
Djabe celebrated its 15-year anniversary in 2010. The occasion was celebrated by a concert organized for the band by the Palace of Arts. Djabe wanted to provide a thorough presentation of the first 15 years, therefore the most significant former members and featured musicians were invited to participate at the concert. Passed András Sipos, founding member of the band played together with the band on recordings.
The performance lasted 3 hours without intermission, which found its way to the DVD. According to the band, it had been their best concert ever. Consequently, the release of the show is their best live recording as well. Disc 1 contains the concert with stereo and 5.1 sound. The aspect ratio is 16:9. The disc has no region code and is made in PAL system.
Disc 2 features the history of Djabe. An interview was made with the band by author László Zeke, who experienced the story of the band at first hand. The interview is illustrated and complemented by numerous footages most of which has so far been unseen by the public. An interview was made with the musicians taking part at the rehearsal on the day before the concert. Gábor Bakó, Ferenc Muck, Said Tichiti, Áron Koós – Hutás, Steve Hackett and Malik Masurov relate their experiences and stories in connection with the band. The combined length of the two documentaries and the extras make up more than four hours. Therefore, watching the complete Djabe 15 double DVD requires a whole working day including a lunch break, namely 8 hours.
The DVD just like the Sipi Benefit Concert or the Sheafs Are Dancing is released in an elegant paper cover. The 28-page booklet accompanying the discs feature information and photos about the concert as well as documents and photos illustrating the history of Djabe.
Djabe: Szilárd Banai, Tamás Barabás, Attila Égerházi, Ferenc Kovács, Zoltán Kovács
Guest musicians: Steve Hackett, Malik Mansurov, Áron Koós-Hutás, Ferenc Muck, Mihály Dresch, Viktor Tóth
Djabe hits the road once again in July with Steve Hackett. The tour will reach Hungary and Slovakia.
Djabe special guest Steve Hackett will play the numbers from their current double album entitled In the Footsteps of Attila and Genghis.
13 July Budapest, Columbus Pub, 8.30 pm, Hungary
13 July Bratislava, Majestic Music Club, 8 pm, Slovakia
13 July Hegyalja Fesztivál, Tokaj, 9 pm, Hungary
16 July Cívis Korzó, Debrecen, 8 pm, Hungary
Tickets:
Gramy Records: rendeles@gramy.hu, +36 1 217-1121; Columbus Ship,
Budapest, Vigadó square, dock No.: 4, +36 1 266-9013;
online: www.jegymester.hu
Before the East- European tour Djabe will play at Festivals in Wales and England, but no Steve will join to the Hungarian Jazz/World outfit.
Kriszta Pocsai: Home at last CD Gábor Vermes Group: Slap the bass CD
The debut albums of two outstanding representatives of Hungarian jazz have been published by Gramy Records.
Krisztina Pocsai is one of the best Hungarian jazz singers, whose talent has added so much to the standard of several productions. However, so far she has failed to provide us with a solo album. Her views on the album:
“The CD entitled Home at Last is my first album as a solo artist and a composer. It is the result of the past six years. The title Home at Last is true regarding different points of view. I found my partner for life, we found our first mutual home, and during the studio works of the title song I had already been expecting our first baby. Can a woman or anyone wish for more? I don’t think so. However, I have been blessed with so much more. Such fellow musicians, for instance, who have been playing music with me for years in joy and with creativity. They inspire me during the rehearsals and concerts both spiritually and professionally. This album could not have been created without them.
I express momentary moods, emotions and thoughts characteristic to certain periods of my life in my songs. There are ephemeral ones among them and less fleeting ones, hopefully. Time will tell. Their musical form was shaped in the course of the past years and they will most probably change in the future as well. The album is so to say a snapshot of the summer of 2009 and the spring of 2010. A snapshot in many colours. The songs are made up from swing, groove, Latin, unique pieces and ballads, of course. The title song was written and orchestrated for string quartet with my partner.
Bass guitarist Gábor Vermeshas provided innumerable productions with a steady basis for artists representing various styles. He himself enjoys groovy, funk-inspired music the most as his compositions are a proof to it. The album leaves no doubt of the high standards of his slapping play that fits the style perfectly. His compositions stand out of the Hungarian music scene, which has not produced many similar recordings at such a high level in this genre. During the various flow of music, the bass guitar remains at the focus, of course. The album features partly vocal, partly instrumental songs that have a bass guitar core and a groovy touch but remain melodic throughout. In them, the stylistic marks preferred by the composer can be identified well.
Gábor Vermes won the prize of the best solo artist on an instrument at the Jazzy Jazz Song Contest in 2009.
Nothing could elevate the standard of the recording but all those renowned musicians featured during the recording with whom the composer was able to work in prefect harmony. Previously, several mutual formations had brought them together in the course of years, decades even.
Szombaton, április 9-én a megszokott időpontban délután 5 órakor kinyitja kapuit a Magyar Rádió Márványterme, hogy nem akármilyen nívós koncertet mutasson be!
HÁROM KIVÁLÓ muzsikus, Elsa Vallé, Szakcsi Lakatos Béla és Winand Gábor, akik a legnagyobb jazz szinpadon gyakori vendégek, ez alkalommal olyan klasszikus darabokat prezentálnak a közönségnek, melyeket Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Ernesto Lecuona művészetén keresztül ismert meg a világ.
A sikeres kelet-európai koncertturné hivatalos pólója, melyből sokat megvásároltak a koncertek során. A maradékot értékesítjük a Gramy Records vevői számára
100% pamut, egyedi grafikával.
Djabe special guest Steve Hackett project's best moments on double CD
Djabe special guest Steve Hackett: In the footsteps of Attila and Genghis - 2 CD
The material of the double CD was recorded in the summer of 2010 during the band’s tour with Steve Hackett. The concert tour reached Russia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Serbia (in chronological order).
The show included Djabe classics (Distant Dance, Clouds Dance, Butterfly, Doromb, Erdő, erdő) and original compositions by Steve Hackett (The Steppes, Last Train to Istanbul) as well as hits originating from Genesis.
The album features several novelties as the Hackett and Genesis pieces performed with Steve have not been published before. The new Djabe composition entitled Dark Soup has not been available at all, either. An interesting fact is that Steve Hackett was an essential participant of this composition. Other unique pieces include the compositions Pécs and Genghis’s Sword.
The most curious recording of the album is the song Last Train to Istanbul by Steve Hackett, which was originally featured on his own current solo album entitled Out of the Tunnel’s Mouth. This piece had not been played live even with his own band. One reason of this might be that Ferenc Kovács, the violinist of Djabe plays a vital role in the song. However, Feri Kovács is always part of a Djabe concert, which meant that the band was able to perform this excellent piece of composition.
Musicians: Steve Hackett – guitar, vocal;
Szilárd Banai – drums;
Tamás Barabás – bass guitar;
Attila Égerházi – guitar, percussion, vocal;
Ferenc Kovács – trumpet, violin, vocal;
Zoltán Kovács – keyboards; Áron Koós-Hutás - trumpet (CD1 – 5, 7; CD2 – 4, 6, 7)
Tracklist:
CD1
Erdő, Erdő, Firth of Fifth, Dark Soup, City of Habi, The Steppes, Pécs, Distant Dance, Clouds Dance
+ Live broadcast from Nisville Jazz Festival, Serbia, 14th August, 2010: The Steppes; Nis – angklung inprovisation
CD2
Doromb, Butterfly, Last Train to Istanbul, In That Quiet Earth, Genghis’ sword, Behind the Veil, Omachule excerpt
+ Live footage from Penang Island Jazz Festival, Malaysia, 6th December, 2008: Behind the scenes (On the way to Penang, Soundcheck, Backstage) Erdő, Erdő; Firth Of Fifth; Malaysia Bole!
The Viennese concert guitarist Johanna Beisteiner gives on this DVD a detailed overview
of her large repertory and versatile artistic projects. Besides famous works by Vivaldi,
Schubert, Bach and Tárrega she also plays contemporary music. In the centre of attention
stands the cooperation with the Hungarian composer Robert Gulya, whose Concerto for
guitar and orchestra is infl uenced by the events of 09/11 and expresses the confl icts of
culturally diverse peoples.
For the shooting of the video clip The Milonguero and the Muse Johanna Beisteiner has
been working with the Argentine dancer and choreographer Rafael Ramirez.
A Milonguero is a man, who tries to seduce women by dancing Tango. The clip is about
a frustrated Milonguero searching for the woman of his dreams. When he catches sight of
a guitarist, he thinks to have found his muse. But when dancing together, they fi nd out,
that they do not fi t to each other. This story is symbolic of the often sad reality in Tango:
hope, expectation and disappointment.
[02.18.2010] Djabe/Steve Hackett: Sipi benefit concert 2CD and 2DVD are distributed online by HackettSongs online shop
Thanks to the agreement of Gramy Records and HackettSongs online shop, the Djabe/Steve Hackett: Sipi benefit concert 2 CD and 2 DVD can be ordered online from The HackettSongs online shop from all over the World. This is the official Steve Hackett online store, where you can buy the latest Hackett releases.
The prices are:
Djabe/Steve Hackett: Sipi benefi concert 2 CD GBP 11.91 + VAT + Shipping
Djabe/Steve Hackett: Sipi benefi concert 2 DVD GBP 13.61 + VAT + Shipping
In 2007, Steve joined forces with old friends Djabe, Hungary’s preeminent Jazz/World fusion band, to perform a benefit concert for the family of their late percussionist Andras Sipos, known to all as Sipi. In front of a packed concert venue in Budapest, Steve and Djabe perform more than two hours of material, including Steve’s solo acoustic medley.
This DVD release contains the whole concert spread across two DVDs. Additional bonus material includes, on Disc 1, one of Sipi’s last performances, recorded by Serbian Television at the Nišville Jazz in Niš, Serbia. Disc 2 includes “What happened on 30th November…” , a ‘behind the scenes’ documentary about the Sipi concert.
[12.01.2009.] Richard Szaniszlo vibraphone player's dubut album
Gramy Records has released Richard Szaniszlo's debut album. He erned domestic and international success as a vibraphone player in the last few years. The CD is supported by the PANKKK program.
The album entitled "Hands of Passion (ballads and other stories)" based on vibraphone, piano and percussion trio's unique sound. Szaniszlo compositions combine the virtuous and emotional musical elements of jazz music. This kind of musical trio has a very unique sound picture. He uses four and five mallets. The “five-mallet” playing is stand-alone among the jazz vibist all over the world.
Contributors on the recordings are Gábor Cseke on piano, and Csaba Pusztai on percussion.
Ferenc Kovács (Öcsi) has come out with a new album compiled from the best concert recordings of recent years. The CD begins with the 2004 performance of Magony Strings, then it dissolves almost unobserved into the Magony concert of 2007 in Debrecen, where the strings are completed with wood instruments and drums. In the last part of the album, the Great Magony Orchestra can be heard, where the best fellow-musicians of Ferenc Kovács are lined up: Mihály Dresch, Kálmán Balogh, Zoltán Kovács, Szilárd Bánai and Ferenc Schreck all reinforce Magony. A comprehensive and capturing disc which summarizes the solo projects of Ferenc Kovács.
Steve Hackett launched a new website beginning of this year at www.hackettsongs.com
Steve’s opening notes:
”Welcome to my new site! Tune in here for the latest news on recordings, touring and all things Hackett related. Like any fledgling site it's a work in progress and will continue to evolve. My new team look forward to having you on board!”
On his new site, in the blog section, Steve wrote about his Malaysian journey with Djabe.
Tune your eyes to Steve’s fantastic new site!
- - -
[12.30.2008] Nikoletta Szőke's debut album released at Gramy Records
Nikoletta Szőke, virtually unknown at the time even in Hungary, astonished everyone by winning the Shure Jazz Voice World Competition at the 2005 Montreux International Jazz Festival. An incredibly talented improviser, a highly intelligent singer with a style of her own and stupendous timing, she is one of the few who’s become adored by audiences and fellow musicians alike. Although she had been born into one of the Hungarian Gipsy musical dynasties (her father is a noted cimbalom player), she didn’t start learning music until the age of 18. Her first teacher was vocalist Gábor Winand, the man rated as the most original jazz-singer in Europe by the critics of the influential French magazine, Jazzman. She also took classical singing lessons as the only jazz-oriented pupil of Júlia Bikfalvy who had coached the diva Andrea Rost to international stardom. Originally heading for a degree in English and Russian at Budapest University, after her first year, Niki Szőke had to make a choice between her studies and full-time jazz singing. Her decision may have been Academia’s loss but a colossal gain for the world of jazz. Now, at the age of 25, she is already the undisputed favourite of the cognoscenti on the Hungarian jazz scene.
[02.15.2008] Take on - Djabe 2008 studio album out now
The long awaited new studio album from Djabe just released.
The "Take on" CD is a worthy continuation of the band’s traditions and the values represented by them so far.
The composing ability of Tamás Barabás integrates all the talent of the members of the band, creating a new quality by that.
The compositions are fresh, unique, still sound familiar.
In 2008 Djabe goes on with a renewed energy. In January we finish the long awaited studio album entitled Take on. The official release date of the CD version is 18th of February. The DVD Audio incarnation of this release with a lot of visual extras will come out end of March. Promoting the new album Djabe goes on tour on three continets, Europa, North America and Asia.
Djabe works as a quintet, there is no replacement in the line up of unforgettable Sipos András. Otherwise Djabe has a special guest at some gigs in Hungary and USA. Rochester based John Nugent on saxophone will join to the band. John played among others with Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Benett, Clark Terry, a Temptations, Steve Ray Vaugh and he was a member of the Woody Hermann Orchestra.
Please check the tour page for further details.
The Sipi memorial and charity concert was a huge success. Great spirit and floating music. We plan to release the whole show on DVD. Some further contribution with Steve Hackett is on the Horizons. The postprudoctions of the 2006 and 2007 live shows are still ongoing projects. We hope the Slices of live double DVD can come out this year too.
15th of January 2008
Banai Szilárd – drums
Barabás Tamás – bass guitar
Égerházi Attila – guitar, percussion
Kovács Ferenc – trumpet, violin, vocal
Kovács Zoltán – keyboards
Djabe released its previous studio album in 2008, and safe to say the new album Down And Up has been well worth waiting for. The music is simply first class both in both standard and in execution. We've been used to this quality and ambition from the band since its inception, and so no surprise therefore, that up to now 42 countries have invited Djabe to perform.
The tour introducing our Slices of Life album has probably been one of the greatest undertakings of the band. The slightly complex musical texture was performed for the audience during 2006. The tour began in Hungary
in February and it continued during the summer in Europe and the USA. Over 50,000 people saw the band on stage. 
Alapi István: niXfactor
Krisztina Pocsai is one of the best Hungarian jazz singers, whose talent has added so much to the standard of several productions. However, so far she has failed to provide us with a solo album. Her views on the album:
Bass guitarist Gábor Vermeshas provided innumerable productions with a steady basis for artists representing various styles. He himself enjoys groovy, funk-inspired music the most as his compositions are a proof to it. The album leaves no doubt of the high standards of his slapping play that fits the style perfectly. His compositions stand out of the Hungarian music scene, which has not produced many similar recordings at such a high level in this genre. During the various flow of music, the bass guitar remains at the focus, of course. The album features partly vocal, partly instrumental songs that have a bass guitar core and a groovy touch but remain melodic throughout. In them, the stylistic marks preferred by the composer can be identified well.
Szombaton, április 9-én a megszokott időpontban délután 5 órakor kinyitja kapuit a Magyar Rádió Márványterme, hogy nem akármilyen nívós koncertet mutasson be! 
The material of the double CD was recorded in the summer of 2010 during the band’s tour with Steve Hackett. The concert tour reached Russia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Serbia (in chronological order).
The show included Djabe classics (Distant Dance, Clouds Dance, Butterfly, Doromb, Erdő, erdő) and original compositions by Steve Hackett (The Steppes, Last Train to Istanbul) as well as hits originating from Genesis.
The Viennese concert guitarist Johanna Beisteiner gives on this DVD a detailed overview
of her large repertory and versatile artistic projects. Besides famous works by Vivaldi,
Schubert, Bach and Tárrega she also plays contemporary music. In the centre of attention
stands the cooperation with the Hungarian composer Robert Gulya, whose Concerto for
guitar and orchestra is infl uenced by the events of 09/11 and expresses the confl icts of
culturally diverse peoples.
Thanks to the agreement of Gramy Records and HackettSongs online shop, the Djabe/Steve Hackett: Sipi benefit concert 2 CD and 2 DVD can be ordered online from The HackettSongs online shop from all over the World. This is the official Steve Hackett online store, where you can buy the latest Hackett releases. 
Gramy Records has released Richard Szaniszlo's debut album. He erned domestic and international success as a vibraphone player in the last few years. The CD is supported by the PANKKK program.
Ferenc Kovács (Öcsi) has come out with a new album compiled from the best concert recordings of recent years. The CD begins with the 2004 performance of Magony Strings, then it dissolves almost unobserved into the Magony concert of 2007 in Debrecen, where the strings are completed with wood instruments and drums. In the last part of the album, the Great Magony Orchestra can be heard, where the best fellow-musicians of Ferenc Kovács are lined up: Mihály Dresch, Kálmán Balogh, Zoltán Kovács, Szilárd Bánai and Ferenc Schreck all reinforce Magony. A comprehensive and capturing disc which summarizes the solo projects of Ferenc Kovács. 
Steve Hackett launched a new website beginning of this year at 
Nikoletta Szőke, virtually unknown at the time even in Hungary, astonished everyone by winning the Shure Jazz Voice World Competition at the 2005 Montreux International Jazz Festival. An incredibly talented improviser, a highly intelligent singer with a style of her own and stupendous timing, she is one of the few who’s become adored by audiences and fellow musicians alike. Although she had been born into one of the Hungarian Gipsy musical dynasties (her father is a noted cimbalom player), she didn’t start learning music until the age of 18. Her first teacher was vocalist Gábor Winand, the man rated as the most original jazz-singer in Europe by the critics of the influential French magazine, Jazzman. She also took classical singing lessons as the only jazz-oriented pupil of Júlia Bikfalvy who had coached the diva Andrea Rost to international stardom. Originally heading for a degree in English and Russian at Budapest University, after her first year, Niki Szőke had to make a choice between her studies and full-time jazz singing. Her decision may have been Academia’s loss but a colossal gain for the world of jazz. Now, at the age of 25, she is already the undisputed favourite of the cognoscenti on the Hungarian jazz scene.
[02.15.2008]
