News archive - 2010

11.24.2010.

Most of the Djabe titles can be ordered from the HackettSongs online shop

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Gramy Records

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 42 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