In the framework of a large-scale three-day festival, we present the rich musical and cultural palette of Hungarian nationalities with their leading, outstanding, defining performers in the co-organization of the Kalyi Jag ensemble.
Kalyi Jag ensemble (Roma folk music)
The Kalyi Jag Ensemble is an outstanding pioneer of Roma world music. Their musical style floods the world like a river and their music has become a concept. More than four decades ago, Gusztv Varga had a dream: to sing and write songs for the first time in Europe in his own mother tongue, Gypsy. He formed the Kalyi Jag (Black Fire) Ensemble, whose fame traveled all over the world like wildfire, achieving world success in one fell swoop.
After several tours around the world and platinum records, they continue to work, continuing their mission as ambassadors of the most original gypsy folk music. Their songs are humming by thousands of fans around the world. Countless musicians around the world play and process their songs, which live in people as a unique Kalyi Jag style, now as a real Hungaricum.
The legendary Kalyi Jag Ensemble has developed an unmistakable distinctive style that sets them apart from all other gypsy ensembles. They are distinguished not only by their excellent vocal abilities, inimitable virtuoso instrumental techniques, but also by their unusual 40 years of experience on stages.
The band Kalyi Jag has started a new project in the music industry. Gipsy Gold Sounds provides an unforgettable experience for the audience. The vocals of Andrea, Krisztina and Ilona, Zsigmond and Guszti take the listener back to the romance of the Gypsies living in the past and fly him forward into the sound of 21st century world music. Jzsi's harmonious articulated mouth bass, Laci's sophisticated instrumental knowledge and virtuosity, Gyuri's accordion, keyboard or double bass playing create a wonderful atmosphere.
With the current line-up of the ensemble, it has already fulfilled the invitation of Pope Francis, as the Ensemble has also created the first Gipsy Gospel production. In 2016, His Holiness Pope Francis consecrated the Ensembles Audio in the Vatican, Nervi Hall, in front of 5,000 people. Today, pastoral songs are also sung in the churches by the faithful in Roma and Hungarian.
The Kalyi Jag Ensemble is the most recognized and worthy representative of authentic gypsy culture from Hungary to Hollywood, Sao Paolo to Washington and New York to Tokyo.
T'Rakija ensemble (Balkan folk music)
The band TRakija has been active since the beginning of 2005, their repertoire draws almost from the music world of the entire Balkan Peninsula. Their speech follows the trend of authentic folk music, which they interpret with the help of personal collections and a deep commitment, and often allow space for their own adaptations. Their original folk instruments create a real Balkan atmosphere with their sound: the tamburs, kaval, violin, tapan, flutes all enhance the exciting melodic world with their unique sounds.
Khamoro Budapest Band (Roma folk music)
The formation called Khamoro Budapest Band started in 2007 as a simple, friendly community, but in the end a music-dance production was born from the gatherings.
The aim of the enthusiastic group of young people is to collect, preserve, pass on and stage authentic gypsy culture in Hungary and Central Europe; but at the same time XXI. as modern-minded citizens of the 19th century, they also provide an insight into the musical and dance culture of the more distant Gypsies.
Their program includes students from Satu Mare and Transdanubia, spinners and dance songs, or Gypsy melodies and dances from Transylvania, Serbia and Russia; this is complemented by Macedonian and Oriental belly dances, Indian and flamenco choreographies. Recently, modern, thematic compilations have also been successfully tried.
KOLO orchestra (South Slavic folk music)
The primary goal of the KOLO band is to collect, process and stage the folk music traditions of the South Slavic peoples of Hungary, the Croats, the Serbs and the Slovenes. The ensemble will, of course, also deal with the music of the peoples of the motherland, the former Yugoslavia and the folk music of other southern peoples, such as the Bulgarians and the Greeks.
Before its formation, most of the musicians played with older folk musicians for years, and those years proved to be a very good school, as the band feeds on what they learned then almost to this day - in some form. From the beginning, he has been an active and constant participant in the Hungarian dance house movement and has had clubs in Budapest and the countryside for more than 20 years. He toured Hungary several times during his tours, and during his travels abroad he aged the good reputation of South Slavic folk music in many countries.
LL Junior (Roma R&B, Rapzene)
László Lesi (L.L. Junior, born Bp., 3 January 1981) began his musical career in the early 1990s, when he formed a formation called the "Black Train". L.L. The import of the Jamaican melodic-rap style “Raggamuffin” into Hungary is connected to Junior's name in 2001. Junior is very versatile, whose rap technique is unique and internationally recognized. He was the first performer to release a RAP album in Roma. With his extraordinary movement culture, performing skills, knowledge of rap and singing, he struggled to become one of Hungary's best-known performers. L.L. Junior has so far sold more than 220,000 records in Hungary and is at the forefront of internet sales and downloads. He is a state-recognized artist with multiple gold and platinum records.