According to the seasoned critic of Downbeat, John McDonough, a musicians’ musician is someone whose music is too good for the audience. Pianist Peter Rozsnyoi fits the bill perfectly. This enormously gifted, brilliant young pianist is held in great esteem by his fellow musicians and the cognoscenti but the only time he gets a mass audience is when he leads the warm-up band for some American megastar, like he did for Chick Corea last summer.

He had to reach the age of 28 for this, his first album (Autumn witch) to make its appearance. Peter’s style is instantly recognisable. He is practically unique inasmuch, unlike Jacques Loussier, he doesn’t jazz up Bach but bachs up jazz instead. And he does that more originally and with better taste than any of his contemporaries, including the veteran jazz giant Dave Brubeck.

This means an extremely logical construction which, at the same time, is imbued by the spontaniety and vigour of jazz. This powerful current of music is intensified by Gyorgy Orban’s faultless bass and Andras Mohay’s discreet but all the more effective drumming.

Rozsnyoi’s playing is pure and lacks cheap sentimentality, however it carries powerful emotions, just like Bach’s music. Another musician whom Rozsnyoi’s style brings to mind is the late Lennie Tristano, who was actually much drier in most cases than his Hungarian successor. Nowadays there is a terribly unfair critical pressure on young musicians to write their own material. For most of them it’s an uphill struggle. Peter Rozsnyoi is an exception in this sense as well.

Entry fee: 1200 forints

The new venue is in the 13th district at Hollán Ernő utca 7 on the premises of the old Odeon-Lloyd cinema

There is no compulsion to eat or drink but there is a well stocked bar with also cocktails made to order at non-extortionate prices. For food you’ll have to resort to a staple diet of sandwiches, crisps and nuts.

For more information contact Peter Pallai by clicking here