The Budapest Jazz Orchestra, formed in 1998 under the artistic direction of Gábor Kollmann, has become Hungary's most popular big band. Its 20-year existence has brought many memorable concerts, domestic and international recognition and performances by countless international guest artists. The band, made up of highly trained jazz musicians, follows the traditional 17-member big band line-up, while the thrilling orchestrations will be handled by American trombonist Ed Neumeister, who on this occasion will feature as conductor. And there will be no lack of guest performers: the band have invited two beloved Hungarian soloists, guitarist Attila László and pianist Kálmán Oláh, while the evening is made even more special with the appearance of two American stars.
Joe Lovano has won two Grammy Awards in addition to 14 nominations, and has received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music. He's a multi-instrumentalist who, whether as a composer or performer, always boldly roams between different styles and forms, finding new modes of artistic expression and redefining the concept of jazz. Drummer Peter Erskine is also a Berklee honorary doctor and two-time Grammy Award winner. Throughout his career he has contributed to more than 700 albums: it would be nearly impossible to list all the stars with whom he has played. He also has a close affinity with orchestral instrumentation and regularly performs with symphony orchestras; in 2013, English composer Mark-Anthony Turnage dedicated his concerto Erskine to him.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest