The Samuel Balo Trio consists of three talented jazz musicians (piano, bass, drums) with solid experience performing at different venues and festivals, with changing formations, and playing together with a variety of acknowledged Hungarian musicians. The band was formed in the spring of 2020 and as soon as January 2021 they won two prizes (Budapest Music Center, Harcsa Veronika) at the “Jazz Showcase” of MüPa Budapest.
Their repertoire mostly consists of Samuel’s original compositions which are inspired by moods, experiences, and memories. Modal jazz and Hungarian folk music are some of their main influences. The band likes to treat the compositions freely, leaving space and opportunity for each member to improvise and communicate through music, leading to a different experience at each of their concerts. Occasionally they turn into a quartet featuring mostly saxophone players. The Kossuth-prize winner Hungarian saxophonist, Mihály Dresch for example is a frequent guest of the band.
Márk Miskolczi plays bass now but started off as an engineer in chemistry and biology. He studied jazz bass at Franz Liszt Academy of Music.
Sámuel Baló studied jazz piano in Graz (Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz). The school focuses on mainstream jazz, however his teacher, Olaf Polziehn had an open mind toward different genres in music, encouraging his students to experiment.
Ambrus Richter was the “Year’s jazz musician” in 2018 selected by the Hungarian Jazz Association. He studied jazz drums at ETŰD Conservatorium, his teacher was Berdisz Tamás. His energy, openness, and enthusiasm are proven in the many formations he plays.
YouTube playlist
You can watch the trio perform at different venues on this YouTube Playlist:
JazzMa articles
Published in Hungarian:
2021. 11. 04. A Baló Sámuel Trió Dresch Mihállyal
2021. 10. 24. Baló Sámuel interjú
2018. 03. 15. Richter Ambrus interjú
Contact and booking
samuelbalomusic [at] gmail.com
Sára Eszter Kis (manager): + 36 30 272 25 31
Pictures: Kis Kata Linda.