The Embassy of Hungary
presents
the world premier of the
Ferenc Németh New Trio (feat. Eldar Djangirov and Pete Rende on piano/keyboards)
Honoring the 60th Anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight
Venue: 2950 Spring of Freedom Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
Date: Friday, November 4, 2016, 7pm
RSVP: RSVP.was@mfa.gov.hu
„My new project is based on the research I did on Hungarian folk music (getting back to my roots), combined with improvisation and electronic sounds to make the music more relevant.
What I created this way is a mix of a modern adaptation of old soulful folk melodies with a great variety of rhythmic content, improvisation and some experimental sounds.
These are carefully selected songs to which I have emotional connection to. Some of them I've learned as a child, some other ones as an adult but still, they all give me goosebumps, reminding me the comfort of family, love, home....all strong Hungarian values.
I rewrote the songs but I was respectful to the original melodies. Some of them I used exactly as they were sang, other ones I opened up a little bit and changed the harmonies and rhythms. Of course one can not mention Hungarian folk music without naming Bartók and Kodály. I've studied both of them and have a lot of respect and gratitude towards them.
The other very interesting part of this music is that I am using a vocal harmonizer. This little electronic tool enables me to use my voice as a synthesizer and create textures that reminds the listener to an accordion, violin or the famous Hungarian instrument, the Tarogato.
I like to think that today's music is evolving very fast and with the help of the internet, we have access to listen to anything at any time. That makes today's music global. There is a great variety of cultures and each culture has its own music. We can mix and match whatever we want. But by playing music there's one important responsibility left. To play it authentically and honestly. That's what I am always aiming for and this is my best project so far to represent that. „ Ferenc Németh
The New Ferenc Németh Trio:
Ferenc Németh (drums) is an accomplished and versatile musician who continues to push the boundaries of jazz drumming and composition. Németh has since the early days of his career, been one of the most sought after drummers both, in his native Hungary as well as in the United States. Coming from a musical family, his unique dynamism and versatility was fostered from a very early age. An exciting performer and imaginative collaborator, Németh is well regarded for his work with the Lionel Loueke Trio and GilFeMa and has also travelled, performed and collaborated extensively as a bandleader, co-leader, sideman and educator as well as initiating creative projects of his own. From his early days at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and the Thelonius Monk Insitute of Jazz in Los Angeles, Németh has learned from and worked with the world's finest jazz musicians and groups including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Terence Blanchard, the Billy Childs Trio, Bob Sheppard, Dave Carpenter, John Clayton, Jimmy Heath, The Henry Mancini Orchestra amongst others. Relocating to New York in 2003, Nemeth's distinctive energy and drive saw his career continuing with many of the same musicians, and also expanding to include the likes of Christian McBride, John Patitucci, Lionel Loueke, John Abercrombie, Dave Samuels, Mark Turner, Hal Crook, David Benoit, Bud Shank, Greg Hopkins, Phil Wilson, Dave Grusin, Eddie Daniels, Eddie Henderson, Ron McClure, Chris Cheek, Aaron Goldberg, Kenny Wheeler, Eli Degibri, Jonathan Kreisberg, John Ellis, Omer Avital, Ilayaraja, the Kenny Werner Coalition and most recently Dhafer Youssef.
Eldar Djangirov (piano): The New York Times described the New York based pianist and Grammy-nominated artist Eldar Djangirov as "a blend of musical intelligence, organizational savvy, enthusiasm and prowess that was all the more impressive for seeming so casual... an ebullient impressionist." Dr. Billy Taylor said, "Eldar Djangirov's playing shows brilliancy, complexity, and discipline... he's serious about his music, he's thoughtful about what he does." Jazz Times said, "Maybe he made a pact with Lucifer to be the greatest pianist ever." Praised as "a genius beyond most young people I've heard" by Dave Brubeck. Downbeat magazine stated that "his command of his instrument is beyond staggering." When Eldar Djangirov was signed to Sony Masterworks at the age of 17, the young pianist from Kansas City was already well known for his prodigious pyrotechnics and precocious knowledge of the bebop tradition. Along the way, he's had the good fortune to meet and work with the masters including Dr. Billy Taylor, Michael Brecker, Marian McPartland, Dave Brubeck, Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Nicholas Payton, Harvey Mason, Chris Botti, Joe Locke, Ron Carter, Pat Martino, Roy Hargrove and many others. Through these opportunities and other wonderful musical experiences, Eldar continues to explore new frontiers through composing and performing, enabling him to ultimately to realize his own musical vision.
Pete Rende (keyboards): Acclaimed Pianist Pete Rende has lived and worked out of New York since 1998 as a highly respected band leader and sideman. He has toured, recorded and played with groups lead by Kurt Rosenwinkle, Chris Cheek, Bill McHenry, Dave Douglas, Aaron Parks, Mark Turner, Guillermo Klein, Sabina Scuibba, Thomas Morgan, Ted Poor, Jeff Ballard, Marlon Browden, Ben Monder, Alan Hampton, Christina Courtin and Lage Lund. Praise for his music includes the New York Times, who stated Rende has "a gift for establishing mood and atmosphere". As a member of the group Plainville, Timeout wrote "…[Rende's] work in the folk-jazz combo Plainville has made us swoon in recent years". Rende sharpened his teeth after graduating from the Berklee College of Music as a sideman for the likes of Chris Cheek and Bill McHenry, as well as Singer/Songwriters Rebecca Martin, Chiara Civello and Jen Chapin. As a Producer, Mix and Recording engineer, he has worked with some of the top artists on todays jazz scene, including the Bad Plus, Joshua Redman, Ethan Iverson, Jeff Ballard, Rebecca Martin, Bill McHenry, Reid Anderson, John Ellis, Alan Hampton and Josh Mease to name a few.
