SLAMCD579 Szilárd Mezei Túl a Tiszán Innen Ensemble – Nem Füstöl a Zentaji Gyár Kéménye

Born and living in Serbia, violinist/composer Szilárd Mezei‘s cultural heritage is truly Hungarian with a burning passion for the music of that country. This album is an outcome of his work exploring Hungarian folk music and is produced with the support of The Institute for Hungarian Culture in Vojvodina.

The music is what Szilárd Mezei calls “living folk music” where all the themes are Hungarian folk songs from Vojvodina, arranged for his group assembled specifically for the project.

Szilárd Mezei: viola, vocal
Svetlana Novakoviæ: flute, alto flute
Bogdan Rankoviæ: bass clarinet, alto saxophone, clarinet
Béla Burány: baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone
Tijana Stankoviæ: violin
Ákos Keszég: violin
Branislav Aksin: trombone
Marina Džukljev: piano
Ivan Burka: vibraphone, marimba
Ervin Malina: double bass
István Csík: drums

“Two discs of folksong arranged for three strings, four winds, marimba and rhythm section, featuring frequent Mezei collaborators clarinettist/saxophonist Bogdan Rankoviæ, trombonist Branislav Aksin, bassist Ervin Malina and drummer István Csík. Space prohibits full appreciation of this musical tapestry, but it bears repeated listening for plangent melodies rendered in unisons, parallel harmonies or counterpoint; composed sections alternating with free blowing solos or ensembles; and colourful combinations of instruments.” – Tom Greenland, The New York City Jazz Record

“The pieces are rich with melody…The flutes and reeds are sublime on gentle themes of “Nm Zorog…” with a chamber feel during “Nem Fustol A Zentaji…” Bogdan Rankovic’s bass clarinet lurks mysteriously on “Ma Menyasszony…” and there are glorious harmonies for the flowing “Nem Idevalo…”. Pastoral vibes hover on “Eskuvorol Jovet” and Mezei delights with rich water color strokes during a charming “Szeles A Duna.” There is a rich mix of freedom from the soloists held well in the form by the strong traditional pieces. This is a delight!” – George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly

“Mezei sings on a couple of songs, in a resolute yet charming voice, like the ancient spirit of the land, the music (mostly strings and vibes), in dream-like clouds, haunting, enchanting… “Shepherd Lad in the Pusta” has this hypnotic pulsating bass line that churns throughout with some long inventive, story-telling solos from the viola and trombone. Disc one ends with a most impressive piece, “My Yard’s Been Divided by a Trench”, with superb ensemble writing and playing and phenomenal flute and viola interplay, fractured bari sax, crazed marimba and frenzied strings in a later section. There is way too much great music on these discs to describe it all here. It is time for Szilard Mezei to get the recognition he rightly deserves as one of the guiding lights of progress/avant/Eurojazz.” – Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery

All themes are Hungarian folk songs from Vojvodina Compositions and arrangements by Szilárd Mezei
Recorded 19-21 August 2015 at Kulturni Centar Novi Sad, Serbia
Sound engineers for recording: Lazar Zivanac
Mixed and mastered by Szilárd Mezei

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