Balint

Bálint Gyémánt from Hungary is one of the most complex and imaginative guitarists and composers in the contemporary jazz world - constantly looking for new musical worlds to explore.

Veronika Harcsa, Bálint Gyémánt and time - the relationship between the three contains some genuine thrills, and in more ways than one. The name of their new record is About Time. Being in time to the music is an art, while the distinctive rhythms of time are the soul of jazz. There is also a more subjective interpretation: a special moment has arrived in the life of the two musicians. Both their mentors and their huge influence are still active, and the younger generation, perhaps influenced by them, arrive with a mature, fresh sound. The duo felt that now is the time to celebrate all of the above.

You might recognize Eszter Balint‘s name from the television series Louie, in which she played (during an end-of-the-season arc) the neighbor/love interest to Louis C.K. But here, the Hungarian-born actress shows her true talent and skill as a singer, songwriter and violinist. Airless Midnight is her second solo album – her first in a decade (!) and her third overall. Here, she’s joined by such talents as Dave Schramm and Marc Ribot, and this album is, indeed, a revelation.

With two albums thus far (Lifelover und Tell Her), Veronika Harcsa and Bálint Gyémánt have fascinated press and audiences as a duo since 2014. “Harcsa is an amazingly versatile musician, a brilliant vocalist and gifted entertainer in the best sense,” states allaboutjazz.com, and public radio MDR adjudges: “Harcsa’s voice oscillates in many different colors. […] At times she sounds like the jazzy sister of Alanis Morissette and in the next moment she turns into a spherical siren.”