The Carpathian Folk Quartet

The Artists

Sándor Kuti [cimbalom] is one of Hungary's outstanding cimbalom artists and a versatile musician playing various instruments; he is from a famous dynasty of Gyspy musicians. He studied music from an early age and became a member of the world renowned Rajkó Orchestra at the age of 14. Sándor has played with many famous primás, including all members of the Lakatos dynasty, Sándor Jároka, Károly Puka, and Erno" Kállai Kiss. He was also attracted to the cimbalom music of the Balkans and other areas of Eastern Europe. He toured the USA several times as member of the Kálmán Balogh Gypsy Cimbalom Band and with the touring show Gypsy Spirit, Journey of the Roma. Kuti is a well-rounded "Gypsy" musician true to his generation; he played classical music with the Budapest Festival Orchestra and with other European classical orchestras. He played Klezmer music with the Budowitz Klezmer Band and popular music in several European bands. He also tours with his own band in Europe and in North America, the Gypsy Brothers, playing world music and Klezmer jazz. Sándor is a remarkable representative of the younger generation of Roma musicians from Budapest.

The last time Sándor was in Portland was at the Old Church back in 2003 with the Kálmán Balogh Gypsy Cimbalom Band in concert with 3 Leg Torso. To view pictures from this concert click on the the following link: Kálmán Balogh & The Gypsy Cimbalom Band.

Attila Jakab [violin] of Roma heritage, is one of the most talented folk musicians from Transylvania who is just as much at home in Hungarian as in Romanian folk music. He grew up in Transylvania and learned to play violin from the last authentic folk musicians in small Transylvanian villages. He is the lead violinist of the Maros Ensemble, the professional Hungarian folk group from Marosvásárhely [Tirgu Mures], Transylvania. Attila has toured in many countries around the world, including Western Europe, Japan and in North America. In his youth he played at weddings and other community events serving the Hungarian, Romanian and Roma communities. His superb technique and warm personality mesmerized American audiences during the 2004 tour of Gypsy Spirit, Journey of the Roma.

László Mester [folk-viola] is one of the most respected folk viola, "brácsa", players in the Hungarian folk music scene. He is a classical trained violinist, who was attracted to folk-music at an early age. He plays with many traditional Hungarian folk bands and is a member of Ifjú Szivek ensemble. The renowned musicians of the Ifjú Szivek have done extensive field research throughout the Carpathian basin; whenever possible learning directly from village musicians and then consulting the pertinent archival recordings to remain as authentic as possible. László has played with most of Hungary's current generation of popular folk musicians and has toured around the world with major Ensembles. He has completed six North American tours with the Ökrös Ensemble, including a 2001 appearance with the Oregon Symphony in "Gypsy Fire" an Oregon Symphony Nerve Endings concert.

Robert Doór [folk-bass] was initiated to music through jazz. However once he discovered folk music, it became his passion. He is considered one of the best bass players in Hungary folk music circles. He has toured North America on several occasion with the Ökrös Ensemble and featured in concerts with classical orchestras. Robert has played with most of current significant Hungarian folk bands and he is currently member of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble.

Program

5:00 PM
Professor Louis Éltető will open the evening by remembering the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.

5:15 PM
Carpathian Folk Quartet will perform.

5:45 PM
Táncház

Desserts, coffee and soft drinks will be available