The Budapest Jazz Orchestra (BJO) has been born twice. Its first incarnation was in 1998, then its line-up changed when founding artistic director Kornél Fekete-Kovács left them in 2005. The new director was the saxophonist István Elek and their objective has remained to be a professional big band in every sense of the word. They aim to preserve the finest traditions of big band jazz, but they are also looking for new challenges with the variety of material they play and through special productions with often world famous guest soloists. The list of collaborators is highly impressive. They have played with Dave Liebman, Bob Mintzer, Johnny Griffin, Peter Erskine, Jasper van’t Hof and Kevin Mahogany, and made a joint recording with Liebman and Mahogany. The series now continues with another jazz giant, the sixty-three year old pianist George Duke who is also a keyboard player and producer. Forty years ago be began his career with violinist Jean-Luc Ponty and shored up the Frank Zappa band. He then spent a few years with Cannonnball Adderley and Sonny Rollins, before playing in the funk-jazz band founded with Stanley Clarke, Clarke-Duke Project. For many years he worked as a producer with various pop performers (and this work led to him receiving five Grammy Awards) but he never turned his back on jazz and regularly released new records. He has brought some special arrangements for the BJO (and of course, for the audience). This joint performance is a unique undertaking for both partners but success is guaranteed.

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