Tóth Viktor Skylark Metropolitan

Skylark Metropolitan is the latest band led by Viktor Tóth, a saxophonist who has been honoured multiple times with the ‘Alto Saxophonist of the Year’ and ‘Composer of the Year’ awards. Several of Viktor Tóth’s eight albums released to date have won the ‘Jazz Album of the Year’ award; each of his recordings and bands represents a distinct sound. What they have in common is a spirit of innovation, overwhelming expressiveness and melodic richness. We can expect a special journey from these superb musicians at this concert, soaring over the landscapes of swing-based modern jazz and broken grooves.

“Beautiful guitar-alto saxophone unisons, with melodies of hymnal beauty, and guitar solos of masterful precision, with a world of melody and rhythm broken down to their very atoms. There was a beautiful ballad-like composition with a velvety, powerful double bass solo and a pulsating percussion accompaniment. But there was also a danceable hip-hop groove with a smoky club atmosphere. Larks in the musical metropolis, in a small remote village beneath the full moon at the foot of Nagykevély. Viktor Tóth, as conductor, kept the musical arc of the concert firmly in hand, bringing the musicians’ otherworldly playing together with subtle instructions. These brilliant, highly individual musicians, at the height of their creative powers, are using their professional expertise and musical universe to create a communal miracle, steering the planet back towards a more hopeful life in the wake of the shock of the pandemic and lockdown. “It is very rare for an audience to be treated to such a cathartic musical experience,” wrote Géza Barcsik about Skylark Metropolitan’s performance at the B52 Jazz Festival.