Old-school evergreens turning to new material

Throughout his entire massive, incomparable oeuvre on records and concerts, the doyen of jazz musicians in Hungary, pianist Bela Szakcsi Lakatos' signature was always his playfulness, his larger than life heart and his openness towards his partners. On the present record he forms an experienced and mutually respectful duo with the unmistakeably individual French sax player Monniot, even if they are an odd couple by any standards, consider the rhythm of their voicing. Monniot, unlike your average sax player, while blowing his heart out when he plays, is prepared to show how fragile he is. In his hands the tenor is not a macho instrument, rather a candid one, not to mention the soprano. He alternates many reeds in the studio and in concerts, while he is inexhaustible in what he has to say. His vibrato and the bending of his melodies resemble the sighs of his deep soul, but may take an abrupt turn to the ironic within one bar. Monniot has a pretty universal vision of the world, and is able to show the reverse side of things that inspire him. When they take up a well-known tune with Szakcsi to new heights they also invite the other to explore new grounds. This is how the succession of old-school evergreens becomes new material, the medium and the message of playing. They would not take away the pleasure of the listener of recognising the well-known standards, but their new interpretations highlight the infinity of fantasy.
Barcza and Balazs are leading representatives of their generation in Hungarian jazz, illustrated by a great number of sessions they have participated in. With all the great experience he has, drummer Elemer Balazs supplies the rhythmic basis with a zest, and is always on the lookout for any space that he could fill to embellish the music. The other half of the high-precision instrument that this rhythm sections resembles is the classically trained Barcza, always meticulous on the bass.

Track Listing

• Someday My Prince Will Come
• Body and Soul
• Summertime
• Mood Indigo
• Bye Bye Blackbird
• Autumn Leaves
• Green Dolphin Street
• Over the Rainbow
• Days of Wine and Roses

Additional Details

Label: BMC Records

Genre: Jazz

Language: English

Run Time: 60:45 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 05/05/17

UPC: 5998309302428