Gypsy Jazz Project at No Black Tie 9 MAY 2018 featuring Roby Lakatos (Violin), Denis Chang (guitar), Az Samad (guitar) & Zulhilmy Zulkifli (bass).
Gypsy violinist, Roby Lakatos is not only a blazing virtuoso, but also a musician with extraordinary style. He exudes versatility thanks to his many talents, that includes performing classical music and jazz whilst being proud of his roots. His music career has taken him across the globe and he has performed in numerous great halls and festivals in Europe, Asia and America. What makes his music style so captivating? He mixes classical music with the magic of Hungarian-gypsy arrangements without distorting the original. Offering a new and fresh take on Gypsy music, Roby Lakatos invites many to enjoy and be enchanted with the type of music he makes. Similar to what Liszt and Brahms have introduced, expect the introduction of Hungarian overtones – simply spellbinding!
Inspired by the music of French Gypsy guitarist, Django Reinhardt, Taiwanese-Canadian guitarist, Denis Chang spent his formative years alongside the Gypsies of France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany where he learned to play and appreciate Gypsy Jazz. There, he also learned and understood the Romany way of life – an interesting culture to be immersed in. As a gadje (non-Gypsy), he eventually took up the language, so he could sing and perform the songs in its full authenticity. Over the years, he has been invited to worked and perform with some of the legendary Gypsy Jazz musicians around including legendary Gypsy guitarist, Dorado Schmitt (one of the stars in Tony Gatlif’s film, ‘Latcho Drom’) – who at the end of his US tour, had gifted Denis the guitar he used for the entire tour.
Az Samad is a guitarist, composer, and educator who has recorded with Grammy winners such as Flaco Jiménez and Max Baca. His works have been described as “richly textured, poetic, and atmospheric”; thanks to his styles ranging from Tex-Mex, contemporary jazz to solo acoustic guitar strumming. He graduated and have taught at the prestigious Berklee College of Music (USA) as well as many other institutions across the globe.
One of his interesting key interests lies in exploring Malay jazz including the music of legendary and most loved P. Ramlee, Jimmy Boyle, and Singapore’s Zubir Said. As a film composer, he has collaborated with filmmakers, James Lee ad We Jun in their short film projects. Fun fact: the best short film at the 27th Malaysia Film Festival, ‘Salvaj’ had the honour of having Az Samad as the music composer.
NO BLACK TIE: 17, Jalan Mesui, off Jalan Nagasari, Kuala Lumpur: Admission: RM64. Dinner menu available. Call 03-2142 3737 after 5pm or visit www.noblacktie.com.my for bookings.
