As was family tradition, he started studying classical piano under the influence of his father, but his interest soon turned to jazz. He first arrived in America in the seventies, and while he could have stayed, he returned with a wealth of experience. From then until the end of his life, he was always interested in current and new musical solutions: first fusion jazz, then the combination of gypsy folklore and jazz. Later on, he also returned to interpreting and composing classical music, and also drew a great deal of inspiration from contemporary music. He wrote musicals, operas, ballets and mystery plays, while founding multiple new jazz formations. He said that he considered himself first and foremost an improvising musician who was always brave enough to take musical risks. He was recognised with a plethora of awards. He was awarded the Liszt Ferenc Prize, the Merited Artist of Hungary title, the Kossuth Prize, the Prima Prize and the Hazám Award; but for him, the greatest recognition was the fact that many of the successful generations of musicians who followed him said that had it not been for Szakcsi, they would not have become what they are today.
Those taking to the stage in this two-part concert are all among these generations.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest