Csaba Toth Bagi - Aved Ivenda (2012)

Following his latest release Without You in 2006, Csaba Toth Bagi has now returned to his roots and in his new album he combines traditional Macedonian, Serbian and Hungarian melodies and rhythms into a jazz structure. The album also features Hungary’s finest musicians such as bassist Laszlo Mathe, Peter Kaszas (Al Di Meola’s drummer) and saxophonist Gabor Molnar. Csaba was raised in Serbia in a family of musicians who settled in southern Hungary in 1993 during the Yugoslavian war. His father started him on the piano at the age of 6, and by age 12 he had found his voice writing and recording on the guitar. At 16, Csaba recorded his first blues album Crazy Clock (1997), featuring Tibor Tatrai, the most respected Hungarian blues guitarist. The album won great acclaim from European critics, who described him as ‘the Hungarian Gary Moore’. Csaba has been a fixture of the Hungarian music scene since his teenage years, well known for his powerful voice and his soulful and technically brilliant guitar playing. His rootsy jazz style is greatly influenced by his Balkan upbringing, his Hungarian musical education and his years of international tours with renowned guitar-ist Al Di Meola. ‘I hear in this spirited music offering from Serbian-Hungarian born guitarist, Csaba Toth Bagi his own claim to his roots and influences that are truly bountiful!’ Al Di Meola ‘It's always inspiring and a treat for the ears to hear influences from many cultures all mixed into song compositions. Csaba's writing certainly falls into this category, and a treat it is! His sound is rich, his playing is great, and I had a fun time performing on the songs I played on. Bravo!’ Dave Weckl ‘…a great performance on this powerful melodic track (Lotus)… certainly a name to watch out for…can't wait to see and hear him live’ Brian Soundy - UK Jazz Radio

Tracklist:

01. Aved Ivenda
02. Cudo da Vidis
03. Lotus
04. Balkan Mafia
05. Esövel Megyek El - I'm Leaving With the Rain
06. Chikin' and Waffles
07. Laura's Song
08. Srpsko Makedonsko
09. Volt Nékem Szeretöm - I Had Two Lovers
10. Alphabet City (To Coltrane)
11. Grandfather's Rocking Chair
12. Si Zaljubi (To Mom)

Personnel:

Csaba Toth Bagi - guitars, vocal
Al Di Meola - guitars
Fausto Beccalossi - accordion
Vasil Hadzimanov - piano
Butch Thomas - saxophone
Laszlo Mathe - bass
Gumbi Ortiz - percussion
Dave Weckl - drums
Ernie Adams - drums