The concert finale of the fifth Jazz Showcase will be the crowning performance of the three-day event, to be held at the Béla Bartók National Concert Hall for the first time in the history of the Jazz Talent Exchange. The organisers aim to create a true gala atmosphere for this special occasion. In the first part, as a companion concert to the performances of young Czech talents earlier in the afternoon, Czech legend Miroslav Vitous, former bass player in Weather Report, will be the guest performer with the Senior Big Band, comprised of both former students and those finishing their musical studies at the Jazz Faculty of the Liszt Academy of Music. The big band is led by guitarist and composer Attila László, who teaches at the academy and has prepared new orchestrations especially for the occasion. Playing the lead parts will be highly experienced professional musicians of the calibre of Ákos Csejtei, Kornél Fekete-Kovács and Ferenc Schreck. In the second part of the gala concert, only the number of participants will diminish while the energy level and excitement will most certainly not, as the audience gets the opportunity to meet an assembly of American and Hungarian musicians which represents the highest standards in modern jazz. One of the most popular local drummers, Elemér Balázs, plays in a quintet with his brother József Balázs on piano and other keyboard instruments, as well as bassist Krisztián Lakatos Pecek, one of the most sought-after young talents. On saxophone is Tim Ries, for years a returning partner of Elemér Balázs, Kálmán Oláh and friends – not to mention saxophonist for the Rolling Stones. Ries has also recorded albums with the likes of Maynard Ferguson, Joe Henderson and Billy Drummond, as well as Paul Simon, Sheryl Crow and Stevie Wonder. The formation will be completed with a surprise trumpet player.

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