08.09.2010.

Djabe and Steve Hackett
Djabe 15 – Encore concert

A review by Zoltán Gerébi on The World of Genesis website

There’s no concert like a club concert

Whenever I had the opportunity recently, I attended grand concerts. There are seldom things better than seeing spectacle and music meet. One of these seldom occasions is a club concert. Thanks to Djabe celebrating its 15th anniversary, once more we were given the chance to enjoy a fantastic club concert after the hugely successful concert at MÜPA (Palace of Arts); this time at Take Five (Club), where Steve Hackett’s guest appearance could be observed from only a few feet away.

At a grand concert, there is always a huge distance between musicians and audience. Somehow the boundary is always visible there even when the atmosphere is intimate. At a club concert, the dividing wall falls down between musicians and audience. As the size of a club cannot enable the musicians to be sealed off from their fans, you might easily get into a conversation with the performers. Moreover, you can witness them perform their compositions from a few steps away. At a concert like this, it doesn’t matter if the audience is not enchanted with lights, because this time everyone is keen on seeing how the wonder called music is born. When it is done by experts and the audience is willing to see it and feel the faintest vibe coming from the musicians, a harmony will arise to overwhelm all. Just like the way it happened on Monday night at Take Five.

The difference how this particular night was more than the others is difficult to pinpoint, it is suffice to say that everything panned out fine. Contrary to previous concerts at Take Five, this time rows of seats awaited the audience. As we arrived in time, our company occupied the two front rows. Due to the concise dimensions of the space, those getting the rear seats had no reason to complain, either, as they were also able to see all the happenings perfectly well.

When we arrived, the sound check was still going on and we got a bit frightened of the loud volume. Fortunately, the volume wasn’t overdone, so the hearing of the ones sitting in the front didn’t have to suffer impair. On the contrary, every sound was a feast to the ears.

Similarly to the MÜPA concert, the show began with the digital image of András Sipos perfroming with the help of a projector. Ferenc Muck was to first one to get onto the stage, who enchanted me with his perfect sounds again. When Ferenc Kovács joined him on his trumpet, sudden sounds were born of the mutual play of the two instruments. The second guest performer to appear was Steve Hackett and just like last time, Firth of Fifth was his first hit to play. The more I hear this solo live, which is perfect in itself as well, Steve performs it more wonderfully. Moreover, this time I was able to observe all his movements how he makes those sounds characteristic only of him emerge from his guitar. This fantastic Genesis hit is already performed by Djabe as one of their own, as I felt it with the other pieces by Steve Hackett. Besides, Steve is getting more and more confident in the world of Djabe. It is not by chance that they appear on stage more often. I am getting to like the new Djabe piece more, which was recorded with Steve to their new album getting out hopefully soon. We could hear Steve’s The Steppes once again, which sounded this time more intense. Then, to my surprise, once Steve cannot be seen with his own band in Hungary, we got a little taste of Steve’s latest album with the help of Djabe. It might of course seem natural as Last Train to Istanbul features Ferenc Kovács as a guest on the album. According to the introduction by Attila Égerházi, the piece could then be heard live for the second time only. The last Hackett piece was a Genesis hit again: the intensively orchestrated and with winds installed In that Quiet Earth, which featured three wind instruments already. The third guest, Áron Koós – Hutás completed the wind section, who got the opportunity to play solo during the evening, which was excellent, too.

It is obvious by now that Szilárd Banai is one of the best drummers of Hungary. He entertained the audience with exciting drum solos again. All the members of the band could be listed here one by one because there wasn’t a weak link this evening – as usual. The production was a whole that caused a magical effect without any extra spectacle, merely with music. I loved this concert even more than that at the MÜPA and was happy to see that this one was also recorded on more cameras. As for myself, I would be willing to purchase it as a separate disc because this gatehring in a friendly atmosphere proved to be a concert worthwhile to experience, which would deserve the chance to be seen if it came out.

The encore concert was followed by two more in Hungary, in Debrecen, than in Pécs. If those concerts were only half as good as this one, I would be very upset not having been able to see them.

Zoltán Gerébi
The World of Genesis website

Gallery of The World of Genesis website

10.08.2010.

The August tour with Steve has completed

Here is Steve's blog about the gigs

In the footsteps of Attila and Ghengis - August 10

Steve Hackett's blog
Photo © Jo Lehmann

It's been a wild ten days exploring new territory in Eastern Europe with Hungarian band Djabe.

After a night's stop-over at Attila Egerhazi's house in Budapest, we headed for Kaliningrad - my first glimpse of Russia. It's a beautiful city and the festival was held in a leafy park. The site is overlooked by a statue of a popular guitarist, Vladimir Visotsky, who sadly died young in 1980. The jam packed music festival was jumping and it was great to finally connect with the Russian fans, who were incredibly welcoming. It's strange to think that my music was once officially considered to be subversive there, but as my Hungarian friend Peter Pallai once said this made it sound all the sweeter. Special thanks to Helen and Tatyana, our bubbly translators and guides.

Next stop Budapest for the Take Five club, an exotic cave of a venue. The sound happened to be excellent. My guitar took off in my hands and surprised even me as it purred and growled with an intensity that you can never completely predict. The band was very much on form in front of their home crowd where all the high risk moments we went for came off. "Play magic fingers..." as my old pal Ian Mosely used to say - sometimes you feel you just switch on the ignition and the car drives itself - the spontaneous moments I absolutely live for...

Next day - historic Debrecen, second largest city in Hungary and Attila's home town. As we walked through a spacious street with fountains I was almost run over by one of those silent trams that crept up from behind, quieter than a bicycle but lethal for the unwary tourist! The gig was in the courtyard of a municipal building in front of a crowd whose ages ranged from three months to the elderly.

The final Hungarian gig was in another lovely old town, Pecs, in a cross between a circus tent and a rodeo. If John Wayne had walked in any moment I wouldn't have been the least bit surprised. At Pecs Djabe played the balls off their own material and mine. After the show we shot back to Budapest for three hours shut eye before flying from Vienna to Sophia, capital of Bulgaria. We then headed deep into the Bulgarian mountains, a rugged region the ancients knew as Thrace, the land of Orpheus. The terrain was dramatic and beautiful and I could see how it would have inspired that extraordinary myth which captured my imagination enough to create a whole album around the theme.

The crowd at the Bankso festival in Bulgaria seemed to know me even though this was my first visit. I heard some great music there, in particular an Egyptian band called Eftekasat, who incorporated a fantastic wooden wind instrument similar to the Armenian duduk into their palate of colours. It would be great to be part of that "Ransomed band in Heaven" one day...

The following day our journey took us through Macedonia, an equally wild area where Alexander the Great was born, and then on to Nics in Serbia. Here in front of a crowd of about 7,000 we played at a festival held within the walls of an old fortress. Our last gig the following day was also in Serbia, just outside its capital Belgrade. Again the music took off and I felt the spirit had been with us all along. Immediately after the show Djabe trumpeter Aron with team member Eva kindly drove Jo and me through the night all the way back to Budapest, where we had to catch an early morning flight back to the UK!

This was indeed an extraordinary experience - it's always an adventure with Djabe. Deepest thanks to Attila, his wife Dora and to all the Djabe team for all their kindness, friendship and inspiration.

Steve's original blog page

05.25.2010.

15 Years of Djabe – 15 Artists on Stage

Unforgettable experience! These two words can describe our 15 year anniversary concert. The tickets for the concert held at the Palace of Arts had already been sold out by the previous week. For a musician, this always means a good start. Besides, the technical and acoustic circumstances of the Festival Theatre are excellent, and the organisers and the technicians proved perfect partners.

We had compiled a show that would represent the past 15 years entirely. In order to be able to give the full picture, we had invited all the musicians and artists who had played an important role in our lives and who we share several concert memories with.

The invitation was welcome with every one of our musician friends. Thus, we looked forward with excitement to be together on stage once again with Muki, Malik, Ben and the others. Everyone arrived for the rehearsal held on 16th except for John Nugent, who was unable to come to Budapest due to a sudden death that had occurred.

The long-lasting afternoon rehearsal started with an informal, friendly chat. Everyone of us was in a good mood waiting for their turn in excitement because apart from the five of us (Szilu, Tomi, Ko, Feri and myself) all of us played together only in the encore song, in the other compositions only one, two or three guests played with us at the most. Due to its duration, the rehearsal was exhausting, yet full of good experiences. Malik, Steve and Ben were fantastic just like our Hungarian friends, Misi Dresch, Said, Viktor Tóth, Áron Koós – Hutás and dancer-choreographer Gábor Bakó. Muki’s (Feri Muck) positive and friendly attitude needs to be emphasized. It was great to hear the old Djabe saxophone sound and tunes. Steve Hackett was as usual: a humble, extremely professional musician, a wonderful friend with hits captivating everyone. (His blog written about the rehearsal and the concert can be read here.) We had not advertised it beforehand to keep it as a surprise that as the opening act we would play the songs Visions and Djabe along with Sipi with the help of modern technique. It is always a heartbreaking experience to rehearse with him with the help of a machine.

On 17th, we started to gather for lunch at the Palace of Arts. The good mood was elevated even more by Ben Castle’s chicken photography project , in which we also got a role. Everything went according to the plans, including the sound check, the rehearsals and eventually, the camera tests.

We had the feeling that the concert would take place in a strong, good atmosphere. This was justified by the frenetic applause after the first three songs, which kept on going throughout the concert. We played for three and a half hours. For the constant members it was bit tiring but it was worth it. It was a privilege to have our musician friends watch the whole concert from the stage. And when it was their turn to play, they were fantastic. It was a real Djabe celebration. In the encore, when everyone was on stage, together with dancers there were 15 of us. 15 artists, 15 great years.

A concert DVD is in production.

Many were unable to see the concert as all the tickets had been sold out. Since we are staying in Budapest with Steve between our Russian and Serbian tours, we have decided to have a Djabe 15 Encore concert on 9th August at the Take Five Klub, where we will be joined on stage by the Hungarian musicians, Feri Muck, Said and Áron Koós – Hutás as well. Further details to follow shortly.

We wish to say thank you to all the Djabe fans, listeners and supporters for the past 15 years.

Attila Égerházi

05.10.2010.

A world of celebration in Budapest - May 17

Steve Hackett's blog
Photo © Jo Lehmann

It was fab to play with Djabe again when I joined the band for its 15th anniversary show on 17 May 2010 in Budapest, complete with musicians from far and wide.

What struck me particularly this time was the breadth of ethnic diversity. On the rehearsal day we gathered in the studio - an amazing place created by Attila that Jo and I describe as the "Underground Temple"! It's entered via steps that descend into a kind of anti-chamber followed by a beautiful long room lined with Attila's father's evocative spiritual paintings. At a huge table we all gathered here for a fantastic hot meal, where it was great to get together with everyone, including Roy Castle's son Ben, dynamic multi-instrumentalist who toured with me in Italy about ten years ago just after I guested on his Postmankind album with Ian Mosely. Beyond this room is an area that houses an extraordinary collection of ethnic instruments from the four corners of the globe, including an array of primitive and ancient looking weird shaped percussion. It's like an Aladdin's cave. Finally you reach the recording area and inner sanctum of the studio itself, where each time I go I hear an extraordinary combination of musical brainchildren from around the world.

The concert the following day, held in the Palace of Arts in Budapest, was a magical fusion of sounds. It was a joy to hear the haunting strains of Ferenc Kovacs' gypsy violin playing alongside Malik Mansurov's tar from Azerbaidjan. An ancient instrument going back at least three thousand years, its sound echoes and bends almost like a sitar, but with its own mysterious energy. I loved hearing Mihali Dresch's homemade primal woodwind instrument, the Fuhunna resembling the Armenian Dudduk that just has to be heard to be believed. From the far south of Morocco hails Said Tichiti with his Guembri (stringed instrument) and tabla drums (Darbuka and Djambe) that all evoked the soul of the desert, crying with a tribal heartbeat. These amazing instruments wove around Zoltan's dynamic keyboards, Aron's, Ben's and Ferenc's exuberant brass, Szilard's powerful drums, Attila's guitar and Hungarian folk whistle and my guitar. At one point the extraordinary team was joined by three dancers, moving in unison with a unique sense of fluidity, paralleling the amazing diversity of the band and the name Djabe, which means "Freedom" in Ashanti.

It was a magical evening for all of us and was rapturously received by the packed house. My thanks to Attila, Djabe and also the promoters who made this fantastic evening possible.

Steve's original blog page

02.03.2010.

Djabe celebrates 15 years
Jubilee tour special guest Steve Hackett

Guest:
Steve Hackett (UK)
John Nugent (USA)
Ben Castle (UK)
Malik Mansurov (AZ)
Áron Koós-Hutás
Mihály Dresch
Viktor Tóth
Ferenc Muck
Said Tichiti
Gábor Bakó

Djabe celebrate their 15th anniversary this year, which gives them the opportunity to start their jubilee tour. The concerts will feature Steve Hackett, former guitarist of Genesis. At the Palace of Arts, all notable international and Hungarian performers are going to join the band who have played an essential part in the history of the band in the past 15 years, namely: Steve Hackett (GB), John Nugent (USA), Malik Mansurov (AZ), Áron Koós-Hutás, Mihály Dresch, Viktor Tóth, Ferenc Muck, Said Tichiti, Gábor Bakó.

The collaboration of Djabe and Steve Hackett is no new as they have been working together since 2003. Steve was featured on the album entitled Táncolnak a kazlak, which was followed by a joint performance in London. This collaboration got stronger between them in 2007. Steve played an important role in filling the Petőfi Csarnok (Hall) for the charity concert held in memoriam András Sipos. The performance inspired Djabe and Steve in such an extent that they decided to stay together and undertake joint performances in the future. Since then they have given several memorable concerts in Latvia, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Malaysia. In Garan, Romania, 13 thousand people cheered during a performance.

Djabe’s jazz/world fusion style and Steve’s roots in rock music complement each other at performances brilliantly. The ex-guitarist of Genesis loves to join the performance of Djabe tunes giving the well-known Djabe sound a fresh update with his solos. Tamás Barabás and his mates in return love to play Steve’s compositions and classic Genesis pieces as well. The programme is put together well, where In that Quiet Earth and Firth of Fifth by Genesis fit perfectly with Clouds Dance, Erdő, erdő or Fátyol mögött by Djabe. Each piece keeps its own characteristics but they are sounded in a new synthesis by the featured musicians. Wherever the Djabe special guest Steve Hackett production travels in the world, audiences receive them everywhere with erupting enthusiasm. Steve’s personality, legendary guitar play and Djabe are the guarantee for it.

The mutual musical ideas are also shown by the fact that Djabe play Steve’s composition The Steppes almost as their own. The British guitarist asked for the Djabe song Distant Dance, which was recorded in Budapest, for his own album. Thus the collaboration is not limited merely to the concerts. Moreover, member of Djabe was featured on Steve’s new album Out of the Tunnel’s Mouth, and he has already recorded several guitar stripes for Djabe’s upcoming studio album.

During their 15 year career, Djabe have been awarded the honouring title of the best Hungarian jazz/world fusion band. The band was founded by Attila Égerházi (guitar) and András Sipos (vocal, percussion). Their self-titled first album came out in 1996. Since the following year, they have given concerts permanently until this very day. Between the years 1997 and 2000 they have worked as a quartet. With the founders, Tamás Barabás (bass guitar) and Ferenc Muck (saxophone) formed the band. Their 1998 album entitled Witchi Tai To was awarded by the Hungarian Records Publishers as the best world music album. Since then, all their serial recordings have been awarded to the Hungarian music award.

In 2001, the band grew to six members. Apart from the tragic death of Sipos András in 2007, the band has been working in the same line-up: Szilárd Banai on drums, Tamás Barabás on bass guitar, Attila Égerházi on guitar, Ferenc Kovács on trumpet and violin and Zoltán Kovács on piano.

The major tasks of the posts of musical director and composer have gradually been taken over by Tamás Barabás from Attila Égerházi. This way, the sound of Djabe has moved from world music to jazz in a certain extent. Barabás is also the internationally renowned sound engineer of the band’s recordings. With the loss of András Sipos and the introduction of the authentic folk violin play and singing style of Ferenc Kovács, the African and latin world music elements were exchanged by Hungarian music motifs.

They received an eMeRTon award for their 2001 album entitled Update. This CD gave them the opportunity of international performances. Since 2002, Djabe have performed in 38 countries in Europe, North America and Asia. They have been guests to such festivals as Pori Jazz (Finland), Burghausen Jazzwoche (Germany), Rigas Ritmi (Latvia), Stockholmjazz (Sweden), Kaunas Jazz (Lithuania), Dubrovnik Summerfest (Croatia), Jazz Sommer Graz (Austria), Penang Island Jazz Festival (Malaysia), Dubai International Jazz Festival (United Arab Emirates), Rochester International Jazz (NY, USA), San Jose Jazz (CA, USA), Giant Steppes Jazz Festival (Mongolia) etc.

The DVD-Audio version of their album Táncolnak a kazlak was nominated for Surround Music Award in Los Angeles in 2004. The technical solutions used by Djabe in studio and concerts have since received appreciation from both the Hungarian and international audiences, as well as within the groves of professionals.

The music of Djabe is characteristic of individual compositions and virtuoso solos, which – in comparison to the studio recordings – become even better during concerts. The bass guitar play of Tamás Barabás is well-known from Malaysia to Los Angeles. His talent has been noted by the marketing managers of the world’s leading guitar and amplifier manufacturers. The drumming talents of Szilárd Banai have enchanted many internationally acclaimed drummers and audiences of course throughout the world. In 2009 he received the “Golden Drumstick Award’. Ferenc Kovács can achieve high standards on two alternate instruments. Among those international stars who prefer working with him, Archie Shepp claimed “apart from being one of the best violinists of the world, he can play the trumpet like Miles Davis.” Zoltán Kovács is responsible for the texture of the band’s sound while being able to perform incredibly musical and virtuoso solos. The guitar play of band leader Attila Égerházi is an essential element in Djabe’s music.

The band has invited several outstanding Hungarian and international musicians since 2001 to participate on their albums and in their concerts. For the 15 year anniversary performance they have managed to invite those musician friends who have played a most important role.

John Nugent (tenor and soprano saxophone) became famous as a prominent member of Canadian jazz in the 1980s. He performed with such American stars as Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, he is a member of Woody Herman Orchestra, and his albums feature Al Foster and David Liebman as well. Currently, he is the artistic director of the RochesterJazz, NY Festival, which brought him together with Djabe. He was featured on the band’s Take On album, then he participated in its promotion tour. As a guest of the Djabe/Steve Hackett production, he performed at the jazz festival in the Hague.
John regards Djabe as “one of the best fusion bands in the world.”

Ben Castle (tenor and soprano saxophone, flute) arrived as the seventh musicians for the recordings of the Update album when the band expanded to six members. Later, he joined its promotion tour. He is featured on the DVD of this tour entitled Flying, and on other concert albums. Although he hasn’t participated in the Djabe concerts since 2002, his fantastic play can be heard on three following studio albums (Táncolnak a kazlak, 2003; Életképek, 2005; Take On, 2008). He has performed with Sting, the Brand New Heavies, Jamie Cullumn and several other stars.

Malik Mansurov (tar) is a professor of the ancient folk instrument, the tar at the Academy of Music in Baku, Azerbaijan. He is the best known tar player in the world, the international ambassador of the traditional mugham music. Djabe asked him to perform with them together in their 2007 Baku guest appearance. Following it, he played on the band’s Take On album and participated in its promotion tour.

Mihály Dresch (tenor and soprano saxophone, pipe) was invited by an old fellow-musician, Ferenc Kovács to the András Sipos Memorial Concert held on 30 November, 2007. After the success of the performance, he followed the band to several more concerts in Hungary and abroad. He also took part in the recordings of Djabe and Steve Hackett made in Budapest.

Áron Koós-Hutás (trumpet). Áron is the newcomer of the year 2008. He attracted the attention by winning the trumpet-contest of the Hungarian Radio. He has been working together with Djabe since 2009, first of all to back up Ferenc Kovács, if he is not able to take part at the Djabe concert. However, the cooperation of Djabe and Áron didn't stop here, because he played with the band many times together with Ferenc Kovács. He is a versatile musician, his play is chiseled and really enjoyable.

Viktor Tóth (alto saxophone) toured Europe and the USA as a member of Djabe in the years 2004 and 2005. A Djabe live recording with Viktor can be heard on the DVD version of the album Slices of life.

Muck Ferenc (tenor and soprano saxophone) was the member of the band between 1997 and 2000. His play determined the sound of the first four albums. His composition Coffee Break made Djabe get into the programmes of commercial radios.

Said Tichiti (vocal, gembri, percussion) is of Moroccan descent drawing on his own folk roots. He was first featured on the Update album, since 2002 he has toured with Djabe several times in Hungary and abroad as well. He can be heard on the Unplugged in New Orleans (2003) and Sipi Emlékkoncert (2009) concert albums.

Gábor Bakó (dance, choreography) was the choreographer and dance captain of the dance productions during the 1998 and 1999 Djabe tours.

20 April: Erdei Ferenc Művelődési Központ (Community Centre), Kecskemét
21 April: Kölcsey Központ (Centre), Debrecen
22 April: AGORA Szombathelyi Kulturális Központ (Cultural Centre), Szombathely
17 May: gala performance at the Palace of Arts, Budapest

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.

Order Djabe/Steve Hackett: Sipi benefit concert 2 CD

Order Djabe/Steve Hackett: Sipi benefit concert 2 DVD

HackettSongs online store

Enjoy the shopping!

Gramy Records

07.20.2009.

Time Bandits into the frame - July 09

Steve Hackett's blog
Photo © Jo Lehmann

Steve and Djabe in Croatia, Slovenia and Austria

Many moons ago in the early '60s Dad painted an intriguing picture entitled Rooftops of Dubrovnik. I remember the scene as one of his first efforts to grace the family walls. At my young age it seemed to be one of the most distant exotic places on Earth. I little dreamed that I would ever be in that picture...

Last week I joined the Djabe Magical Magyar Tour, once more for a week of blower's heaven. The party gathered in Budapest under sweltering skies for a day’s journey from Hungary into Croatia. We passed through mountains and hugged coastal roads where possible, briefly stopping in the beautiful old port of Zadek, for a cordon bleu meal shared with a stray cat or two.

We rolled into our eventual destination at darkest 3am, but awoke in the morning to a fantastic sea view, barren mountains and wooded islands. Across an ancient drawbridge and through several medieval archways lay the town itself, with its many tiny alleyways and ornate buildings. The pride of the Adriatic past on display in 3D, Dubrovnik was just as if Dad's painting had come to life. The terracotta tiled rooftops of the impressive old walled citadel shone in the sunlit view from the battlements where the event took place.

The show went well, Garbor Vermes standing in seamlessly for Tamas Barabas on bass under a starry night as the candlelit turrets looked at a distance as if no time had passed since Richard the Lionheart had stopped over on his way to the Crusades for the odd roast haunch of the equivalent of a double Mac and fries. "Step on it Mac will ya... I've got Heathens to convert..."

Next day the Djabe adventure continued with a hairy journey up the unbelievable Croatian coast, with its incredibly diverse terrain... a moated island of fir trees amidst greenery that looked as if it was afloat itself, like some of C. S. Lewis' descriptions of Perelandra, Silent Planets and science fiction born of unlikely Eco climates that made it hard to tell what was land, what was sea, what was river... and why can't we stop? Because we’ve got another gig to do!

Another long day's travel, but against the backdrop of such blindingly beautiful scenery we scarcely noticed it was 1.30am as we checked into an old Slovenian farmhouse under the baleful stare of a huge Hound of the Baskervilles lookalike. The place was reminiscent of a cottage from Eastern European folklore, with its low beams, creaky doors and crucifixes. Hammer Horror meets Castle Dracula country by night... by day a Hansel and Gretel gingerbread house meets Goldilocks and the three bears. Goldilocks obviously grew up and became our extremely attentive hostess Helena, who seemed to conjure huge home-grown meals around a long wooden table, with hound in tow, now clearly a pussycat under the surface!

Djabe doesn't just comprise fabulous musicians, Ferenc (Feri) is not only a gifted violinist and trumpeter, but is also an Olympic Kendo fiend. He recommended some practise with one of his wooden swords for a frozen shoulder problem I've got... rounded off with a game of football. For the first time in fifty years I scored a goal. Perhaps it was the only goal I’ve ever scored! I wonder if Chelsea would be interested in my new found skill?

Whilst Dubrovnik brought back to life a heroic past of galleons, merchant adventurers and Knights Templar, this simple place in the Slovenian countryside really was a glimpse of an ideal childhood Eden wrapped in an evergreen cloak of cosy magic. A slower speed with a forty year old jukebox that at first glance looked like it couldn’t possibly work, programmed to take only old defunct Yugoslavian currency. Then suddenly, as if we were catapulted into a Dr. Who episode where time is elastic, the beast cranked into life and burst forth in full cry with the sound of Abba!

The band's outdoor show took place in Slovenj Gradec, with the ensemble turning in an extraordinary performance full of atmosphere and energy, aided by all that Health and Efficiency country air. In the glow of the setting sun, Feri's haunting violin floated over the town whilst Szilard's drums sounded incredible, ricocheting around the surrounding stone arches.

About 6am the following morning I was awoken by a huge thunder clap. Torrential rain accompanied us as we aquaplaned through Alpine Austria to Graz, the scene of the next show. Here was another impressive old city, with ancient Roman walls and medieval brick venue, adapted to the requirements of the Graz Jazz Festival. This was for me the best of the three gigs. My fingers seemed to fly whilst my guitar gave me back more than I asked from her. In short, I had a visit. The spirit who took over was the kind of guitarist I always wanted to be... full of surprises, just like the great team of Attila Egerhazi's, Djabe, as it took the battlements by storm and ingenuity at so many of these shows, where East meets West.

Attila, Feri, Zolti, Aron, Szilard and Garbor, with the ever attentive Réka, all of us shortly about to gig in Italy salute you!

Steve's original blog page

05.25.2009.

Giving it wildly in the Hague - May 09

Steve Hackett's blog

A human whirlwind passes through Holland tearing the air with the sound of a thousand furious blowers at the Hague Jazz Festival. Nobody's feet touches the ground, there’s no time. It feels like visiting a whole planet full of musicians who've obviously died and gone on to Heaven.

The omnipresent smell of legalised dope bars intermingling with that of coffee makes the Dutch the hippest nation to visit for a wild weekend. Music spills out from everywhere and on to the streets. Summer just seems to have kicked in big time as an added bonus...

Djabe have invited me to jam with them once more. This time the line up included the great John Nugent on sax who himself organises the Stateside Rochester Jazz Fest and finds time to play with a mere twelve or so of the acts he's promoting on any given year. Djabe combine many free styles but use structure to contrast the more 'out there' moments. Attila Egerhazi, the band's driving force and dynamic bass player Tamas Barabas lead the Djabe parade as founding members. Ferenc Kovacs ('Feri' to his friends) manages to play gypsy violin, jazz trumpet, is an Olympic Kendo champion and makes his own hooch which packs as much punch as his martial arts - in short he is a complete original. The Hungarians seem to combine multiple personalities... Nugent often quips "This guy is the king of Hungary..." Feri is as restless as the Mongolian horsemen of the Steppes. It’s probably why he likes to play my piece of the same name.

It's a bigger line up than usual at Den Haag, Djabe playing two nights here at different locations within the same complex. Night two on Saturday was what it's all about for me. You can’t tell who's playing who. The violin becomes the voice... the guitar, sax and keys all mingle together and set the crowd on fire as if this kind of music is the oxygen the crowd need to breathe. The more excited the band become, the more the crowd roar their approval. The line up on the Dutch gigs is joined by young Aron Koos-Hutas on trumpet who takes time to build his solos from an apparent centre of calm. He’s obviously thrilled to be here too. Then there's the tirelessly enthusiastic Szilard Banai, his drums buckling under the weight of his assault and Zoltan Kovacs, Zolti to his pals, who plays keys with a furious intensity - a classical pianist and another demon player.

Of all the gigs with Djabe I felt that the Sat 23 May show gave me a rare chance to allow the music to play me instead of the other way round. Minimal arrangements and max atmospherics stretched boundaries in a collision/fusion of cultures. I’ll always look forward to my times with the free spirited nomadic world of Djabe.

Steve's original blog page

Photoalbum of The Hague

05.05.2009.

Djabe plays at The Hague Jazz Festival

Special guests Steve Hackett and John Nugent

Djabe will play at The Hague Jazz Festival on 22 and 23 May. The festival hosts more than 80 acts in three days. Some of the headliners are: George Duke, Yellowjackets, George Duke, Djabe special guest Steve Hackett, Take6, Klaus Doldinger’s Passport, Dave Holland Quintet, Joe Lovano, Dee Dee Bridgewater, The Brand New Heavies, The Syndicate etc.
The classic Djabe line-up will be completed by two fantactic special guests Steve Hackett and John Nugent. Steve played many occasions with his Hungarian pals in the last 12 month in Hungary, Romania, Latvia, Malysia, Bosnia and Herczegovina. The set consist of Djabe stage classics and some penuts from Steve’s history like Firth of fifth, In that Qiuet Earth and The Steppes. They gave extremly well recieved shows in the countries mentioned above. The crowd was fallen love with this musical journey from rock, to jazz, via world and blues.

For these shows the Rochester, NY based saxophone player John Nugent also joins. He has earned his reputation as a backing musician for stars like Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgarald, Clark Terry and many others. In his own quartet he worked with Al Foster and Dewey Redmann.

Djabe are
Banai Szilárd – drums
Barabás Tamás – bass
Égerházi Attila – guitar
Kovács Ferenc – trumpet, violin
Kovács Zoltán – keyboards

special guests
Steve Hackett – guitar
John Nugent – saxophone

The Hague Jazz

02.26.2009.

The snows of Sarajevo - February 09

Steve Hackett's blog

Having just participated in the Organic Art Life Festival with Djabe, my Hungarian pals, I'm trying to get a feel for what life must have been like during the siege of 1992 - 1995 by reading Stephen Galloway's The Cellist of Sarajevo, a fictional snapshot of the Bosnian war based on the true account of a cellist's insistence on playing outdoors for twenty two consecutive days despite the carnage raging all around him... solo concerts with a difference...

During the siege, the longest in modern European history, 11,000 people were killed, including 1,500 children, despite being under UN protection. Bullet holes are immediately visible on many small homes lining the route from the airport and on buildings throughout the city.

The annual Sarajevo Winter Arts Festival organised by Ibrahim Spahic began in 1984 and continued throughout the conflict as both an act of defiance and a refusal to accept war as the norm. Ibrahim's dream acted as an extraordinary beacon of light during the time of troubles. Meeting Ibrahim is like coming face to face with the soul of the place... a man who combines the drive of a hundred other mere mortals. Just this year alone the festival includes music, visual arts, drama and dance with contributions from Greece, Argentina, India, Egypt, Sweden, Korea and Japan, amongst many others.

It was fascinating experiencing Mani Mosaffa’s read organ recital beneath the cupola of what was once a Turkish bath. He admitted that this was his first public concert... Music itself is banned unless approved by the religious authorities from the country of his birth. So far he has not been granted permission to perform his hypnotic sustained modal improvisational style in public. I must confess my heart went out to him. It’s hard to imagine what life must be like for a modern Iranian musician facing the brick wall of the present regime in his home country.

To give you a picture of the post-war Sarajevo that Jo and I visited a few days ago with the Djabe team, we realised that so much had been rebuilt in this exquisite city of 200 minarets, where East meets West. By night ornate mosques loomed tall beside imposing ancient synagogues and church turrets, floodlit under the snowfall. By day you realise the city is surrounded by forested hills and mountains. Persian exotica lines the alleyways of the marketplace, filled with Aladdin’s lamp-styled copperware. Through a courtyard where the strains of Turkish music cast its magic spell, we marvelled at hanging carpets that seemed to fly with the ascending notes... On our first evening Ibrahim took us to a Moroccan restaurant replete with Eastern decor, glowing lanterns, lush cushions and coloured waterfall completing the Arabian Nights theme.

The following day on the way to the concert hall we took in the Princip Bridge, where Archduke Ferdinand and his pregnant wife Sophia were both shot, heralding the start of the First World War.

But on to the gig... Djabe had rehearsed up a great version of The Steppes from Defector days, which on the spot we decided to include in the set. Djabe's material is built around strong themes, periodically jettisoned to allow the many extraordinary soloists free reign on their improvs. I've always thought that the real atmosphere of any show comes directly from the audience, and on the 13 Feb they were with the team from the opening note.

Sarajevo is an extraordinary place that you know has to be experienced in all the seasons. This first encounter in seemingly limitless snowfall was painted in picture book white. After the show even the dead seemed to gain a kind of sparkle all their own, as our bus skirted a snow-bound cemetery under the phosphorescent glow of amber streetlights. Possibly the most beautiful cemetery I'd ever seen... Then we sped passed the Olympic flame warming a couple of vagrants on a street corner, or were they pyromaniacs having a ciggie over a brazier that had gotten out of control?

We hurtled onwards towards the rest of our lives. From 200 minarets to 200 pubs and a thousand years of Bingo in Blighty hovering just around the bend...

Steve's original blog page

02.16.2009.

Dubai is next!

Djabe will play at the Dubai International Jazzfestival, NJG stage – 21^st of February, 11 PM, United Arab Emirates.
To the classic five piece line up will be add Mihály Dresch on saxophone and flute.

Djabe played a succesfull gig in Sarajevo with Steve Hackett last week. The next show with Steve will happen in The Hague end of May.

More deatails on the tour page

01.13.2009.

Malaysia with Djabe - December 08

Steve Hackett's blog

The invitation to play Kuala Lumpur and Penang Island came from Attila Egerhazi of Djabe a few months ago. Djabe are a talented World Fusion band comprising of Ferenc (trumpet, fugal horn, and violin), Attila (electric guitar), Zoltan (keyboard), Tamas (bass) and Szilard (drums). They are often joined by others on unusual instruments like the cimbalom or Moroccan drums, and they often play extremely exotic locations, such as Outer Mongolia. I sometimes jam along with them, adding the occasional well known guitar bit!

I'd never been to Malaysia before, but just the name Kuala Lumpur sounded like the furthest place on the map from the London fog and appealed to the pioneering instinct. Actually, Kuala Lumpur is not just a collection of mud huts! It is an extremely sophisticated city housing two of the world's tallest buildings, the Petronas Towers.

The flight (over 12 hours) is not for the faint hearted, but Malaysian Airlines were extremely good hosts and very attentive throughout the flight. Jo and I had a good ride, as did my axe that appeared to have been treated gently for a change by baggage handlers.

Next stop Kuala Lumpur itself for a warm up gig with the irrepressible Malik and Carol from the promotions team. Everybody was tired, none more so than Djabe, who were stuck for seven hours (plus lost luggage) in Cairo. At night the decorations at the back of the hotel looked like a Disneyland parade of lights. They don't do things by half at Xmas time in Malaysia!

Visiting the Far East of course means you are wide awake at 2.00 am, when ideally you should be asleep. You are truly dreaming with open eyes or passing out on the street! Say goodbye to normal at Heathrow.

Eight hours in the coach the following day got us to Penang Island via one of the world's longest bridges (about three miles). We joined the coach party along with several of the acts that would be playing the Penang Jazz Festival. Instant rapport with lots of musos from all over the globe including the dynamic Scot Ray Harris who is definitely going places, and the Jaume Vicaseca Quartet from Spain, which had recently reworked many classical Genesis numbers in Jazz style with an album called Jazznesis.

We passed the Tsunami Village Cafe a few paces from the hotel - an ominous reminder of the tidal wave that killed many thousands of people four years ago. It struck the island at exactly the spot where the festival was now in full swing.

Malaysia is an interesting mixture of cultures, colonial, Islamic, Buddhist etc. Where else would you see a woman on a jet ski wearing a burqa looking like the nearest thing to a flying nun? Venuses in veils alongside damsels in miniskirts...

Penang Island offers many exotic things. We blundered into terrapins, monkeys and extraordinary temples. The Kuan Yin temple is fabulous, once you have fought your way past hundreds of vendors! As you ascend your labyrinthine way upwards through narrow passageways it all seems like a scene from an Indiana Jones movie, with stalls of unbelievable colours. It seems to go on forever, but then you're out in the light gazing at flying pagodas and golden Buddhas you feel should surely be privy to only the faithful monks who inhabit this architectural rival to China's Forbidden City. On top of the huge structure the great statue of the Goddess of Mercy Kuan Yin herself presides. It's a Rupert Bear journey - surreal and unbelievable, a floating fortress of dreams. You can't possibly see it all in one go and you'll just have to go back again one day.

The Jazz Festival itself of course had a great vibe because in the tropical heat the crowd and performers were all so open to each other. I thoroughly enjoyed the Djabe gig and several of the other exotic acts, from the exciting funky sound of Ray Harris to the dynamic Aseana Percussion Unit. We tended to all eat communally in the hotel that housed the gig, where spirits were extremely high. Food was a delicious ongoing Chinese buffet of a feast. Organisers, including Paul and Maxine, were a great support to all, and one of them, Elvira, was not just a wonderful bubbly personality, but turned out to have the most fabulous singing voice!

All too soon the party was over. Back on yer heads, lads... and back to the cold and damp of England's green and peasant land. Maybe because I'm a Londoner... until the next Rupert Bear excursion from Nutwood... that's all for now folks!

A big thank you to Djabe and to organisers Carol Chu and Malik Traufiq (Kuala Lumpur) and Paul Augustin, Maxine Murray, Elvira Arul and Chin Choo Yuen (Penang)

Steve's original blog page

01.08.2009.

Djabe starts the 2009 tour in Sarajevo.

Djabe will play at the Sarajevo Winter Festival on 13rd of February in Bosnia.

Steve Hackett joins to the band as a special guest. Misi Dresch (saxophone and folk flute) will complete the grand Djabe line-up on this unique evening.

More deatails on the tour page

01.06.2009.

STEVE HACKETT LAUNCHED A NEW WEBSITE

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!

12.17.2008

What a performance to remember, and what a night it was!

The much anticipated performance by the band Djabe (No.1 Jazz/World Fusion from Hungary) featuring legendary guitarist Steve Hackett (former member of the 1970s world-renowned band Genesis and supergroup GTR with Steve Howe of Yes and Asia) happened last night at Laundry Bar. The band and their music is somewhat new and alien to our local music scene. Undoubtedly, there were much talk and expectation of surprises prior to the show. And what a smashing surprise it was last night!

More deatails

12.05.2008

Fusion force

By MARTIN VENGADESAN

Legendary Brit guitarist Steve Hackett makes a special appearance at the Penang Island Jazz Festival this weekend.

Fans of jazz fusion will doubtless be thrilled to know that the acclaimed Hungarian combo Djabe will be paying a brief visit to our shores. Formed in 1996 by guitarist Egerhazi Atilla, the quintet contains some of the most respected musicians in the under-appreciated Eastern European jazz scene, and have played at numerous international jazz festivals.

More deatails

11.05.2008

Djabe plays in Malaysia with special guest Steve Hackett!

Djabe play two shows in Malaysia this December.  The first gig will take place in Kauala Lumpur at the Loundry Bar.  You can catch the second show at the Penang Island Jazz festival. At both shows the classic Djabe line up will be completed by Steve Hackett.

More deatails on the tour page

10.09.2008

Craotia, Zagreb is next on 23rd of October

Djabe will play at the 18th International Jazz Days in Zagreb. After the Mongolian and Russian shows the classic Djabe line-up returns to the Europian stages.

Tour page

09.10.2008

Djabe returns back to Central Asia!

In the beginning of October Djabe is one of the headliner of the Mongolian Giant Steppes International Jazz Festival in Ulanbataar. The Hungarian musicians will play two shows in this wonderful country.

On the way home, Djabe stops in Moscow for a club performance on 4th of October.

On this leg of the World tour can be seen the classic five piece Djabe line up.

More details on the tour page

08.19.2008

Djabe tour reaches Montenegro!

Djabe plays at Petrovac Jazz Festival in Montenegro on 31st of August.

This is the very first time for the leading Hungarian jazz/world fusion group in this beautiful country. The classic Djabe line-up will be extended with the fantastic saxophone player Mihály Dresch.

Don’t miss it if you are on holiday in this region!

More details

08.05.2008

Djabe World Tour continues in California

After the extremely successful show in Saulkrasti near Riga, Djabe is flying to San Jose to play two shows at the prestigious San Jose International Jazzfestival. On the 8th of August Djabe will perform at Jazz Beyond stage at 8 pm, and on 9th at the Hotel De Anza Hedley Club at 7.30 pm. The classical Djabe line up will be completed by Ferenc Kovacs, who joins back his bandmates at San Francisco Airport. The audience will miss the special guests Steve Hackett, Said Tichiti and Mihály Dresch.

Details of the tour

07.23.2008

The Djabe shows with Steve Hackett impressed the Hungarian and Romanian audience

Very special Djabe line up played on 18th of July at Take Five Club in Budapest, and on 19th at Garana International Jazzfestial in Romania, where the venues were fully packed.

The special line up was:
Barabás Tamás – bass, Égerházi Attila – guitar, Banai Szilárd – drums, Kovács Zoltán – keyboards, Dresch Mihály – saxes, flute, Said Tichiti – vocal, gembri, percussion, Steve Hackett – guitar.

The set list consists of Djabe stage favourites and two Genesis instrumental classics, which were very well respected by the audience. Photos from the shows

This line up will play again on 2nd of August in Latvia, at Saulkrasti Jazzfestival

Kovacs Ferenc, tumpet and violin player of Djabe will rejoin to his bandmates in California where the original five piece line up will play at the San Jose Jazzfestival.

07.02.2008

Djabe will play three shows with Steve Hackett in Budapest, Garana Jazzfestival in Romania and Saulkrasti festival in Latvia

Steve shared his talent with Djabe in 2003 for the first time, when he played on the Sheafs are dancing album. In 2004 Mr. Hackett joined on stage to the Djabe in London, and played some nice tune together. In 2007 Steve flew to Budapest to play again with his Hungarian friends at the Sipos Andras benefit concert. After the unbeliveable successfull performance they decided to work together again in the future. This is the first stage of the cooporation since that. From the charity concert quest musicians Mihaly Dresch and Said Tichiti will complete the „Grand Djabe” line-up.

Before the International Festivals, the musicians play a warm up gig in Budapest at Take five club.

Djabe with Steve Hackett, Dresch Mihály and Saïd Tichiti shows:

07.18 Budapest, Take Five, Hungary - with Steve Hackett
07.19 Garana Jazzfestival, Romania - with Steve Hackett and Dresch Mihály
08.02 Saulkarastijazz 2008, Latvia - with Steve Hackett and Dresch Mihály

06.10.2008

Djabe plays in Rochester, NY, and Toronto, ON

Djabe take part at the Rochester International Jazzfestival for the third time this year. On 18th of June they play at the Big Tent, and on 19th of June at the Jazzstreet stage. If John Nugent saxophone player, festival artistic director has time, he will join Djabe on stage.

Djabe and John did a short, successful tour in Hungary in May together.

For more information please visit:
www.rochesterjazz.com

On the way home Djabe will play at the Hungarian Canadian Cultural Center.
The performance starts at 8 pm at 840 street Clair Avenue, West, Toronto.

05.30.2008

Finland and Estonia next in June

The Djabe Take on tour will continue in Estonia, Tallin and in Finland, Juväskylä. Djabe has no special guest at these performances. In Tallin they play on the 6th of June at the Visioon Jazz Festival and in Juväskylä on the 7th of June at the Summerjazz.

Take on tour dates

05.05.2008

The Hungarian leg of the Take on tour was a great success

The last show was completed on the 3rd of May in Debrecen. The audience of Győr, Budapest and Debrecen enjoyed the band’s and the guests’ play. The saxophone of John Nugent and the tar of Malik Mansurov were superb!

The tour continues in Romania from the 7th to 10th May. The special guest on the Romanian leg is Dresch Mihály. The cities where the Djabe concerts are going to take place are Tirgu Mures, Sibium, Brasov and Ploesti.

More details

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.

more on this release

01.15.2008

Djabe 2008

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 postproductions 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 – bassguitar
Égerházi Attila – guitar, percussion
Kovács Ferenc – trumpet, violin, vocal
Kovács Zoltán – keyboards