On this picture I was posing with Julius Molnar;

leader of more than 30 years old "MOLNAR DIXIELAND BAND" during  a photo-session in the early nineties.

(He was the saxophon player in my first (ever) jazz band; named "ASTORIA QUARTET";

we had our 1st  (debut) concert: february 12; 1966.

(I was a 2nd grade high school student then) Alas;

I have no pictures of these pivotal times.

In the quartet that we - formed at the end of the year 1965 - Joseph Bodo played drums;

and Andrew Nyitrai played acoustic bass.

In the following years I was playing bass;

and drums besides the piano - as my main instrument - in various bands

("Hulin Jazz Trio"; "Electrons" rock band; etc.)

In 1970-71 I was the piano/organ player of the famed "Crystal" Band.

 

In the early 70's I kept playing simultaneously in jazz and rock/pop bands as well.

In 1973 I invited the excellent "Chicago" - style R&B Band "Tiff-Taff" from the town of Kecskemét

to join my own jazz-trio to have an exceptional concert at the "Center for the Youth" advertised as:

"6+3" R&B concert. We had  a packed house and it was a great success.

- in those years it was normal; people were very enthusiastic!

 

This photo was taken during a concert at the "JATE" University Club (Szeged; Hungary)

in 1978 as the member /pianist-composer/ of the most successful jazz-group "Six Heart"

in my musical career in Hungary. I joined this - then jazz-rock; R&B group of Békéscsaba

(in the southeast of Hungary) - in 1975; in the coming years our group made a improved

a lot and became well-known nationwide.

We appeared most jazz festivals; we got top awards at jazz-competitions;

we had several radio & TV programs and performed in most jazz-clubs in the country.

These were the most successful and influential years in my life with music in Hungary.

We had achieved everything in jazz-whatever was possible in those years in Hungary!.

Too bad, that we never had an LP released!.

 

I arrived to Paris the fall of 1981; where I met few of my former hungarian jazz-friends (musicians);

and I was working in night-clubs 'til the end of july '82; when I got my emmigration - visa to the USA.

I arrived to meet my younger-brother in Nevada (who married an american girl)

he was the former bass-player for the "Molnár Dixieland Band" before leaving Hungary in the fall of 1971.

 

Recording my original composition : "Tribute to Jarrett" in the sound-studios of KUNR-FM

during the summer of (the year) 1984 in Nevada; for the radio-program: "Just Jazz".

This solo-piano composition (made up of 7 movements; approx. 15 minutes of playing time);

was originally shown - the 1st time - by the Hungarian TV in 1980.

After a year I was already performing jazz with local musicians from Nevada & California and with my brother;

and were playing for Radio jazz programs.

During my first few years in USA on the borderline of Nevada with California -

were fall of interesting experiences; like meeting Janis Farley; the young aspiring singer/lyricist;

with whom a dozen of songs were written & composed in a team.

We had chance to perform with our back-up band at the Nevada Governor's Mansion

as well as famous Casino-Showrooms; like the worldwide-known MGM - Grand Hotel-Casino

as well as country clubs. (Newspaper articles & photos were published on us too.)

 

After leaving Nevada in 1987 I took a semester at a private music-school

(studying jazz harmony /composing/ songwriting) in Los Angeles

when living in North Hollywood and Santa Monica. I found "paradise";

when I arrived to beautiful Santa Barbara; not too far from L. A.;

where after 6 months met excellent musicians and I formed the "Santa Barbara Jazz Workshop" with them.

We were lucky to perform 6 times (various locations & occassions like the jazz-train from L. A.

to street-stages and opening night!) during the

"1st Santa Barbara International Jazz Festival" in the fall of 1989.

This was my 2nd best music-team in my career; and I've been in touch with'em ever since.

(The Martinez Bros., Lin Cook, Mike White and others.)