Best of Budapest & Hungary

From April 27 to May 14, JazzFest Budapest returns for its fourth edition, bringing some of the finest Hungarian and international jazz artists to various venues across the capital. Over the course of 18 days, 181 musicians from 23 countries will perform in 54 concerts. This year’s lineup includes Avishai Cohen, Jojo Mayer, Dhafer Youssef, Rabih Abou-Khalil, Kinga Glyk, the Tribute to Esbjörn Svensson Trio, Shai Maestro, Miklós Lukács, and Mihály Dresch, among others. The festival kicks off with a sunrise concert led by Bálint Gyémánt in the Philosophers' Garden, while free events will be held at Liszt Ferenc Square and Rákóczi Square, and a special jazz matinée awaits children at Hunyadi Square. Late-night jam sessions will take place at the Jedermann Café, featuring spontaneous collaborations with international musicians visiting Budapest.

    The 2025 edition of JazzFest Budapest places a spotlight on jazz beyond America, showcasing exceptional artists from Europe, Africa, and Asia. In collaboration with the festival’s curators – cimbalom virtuoso Miklós Lukács, jazz pianist Krisztián Oláh, saxophonist Mihály Borbély, percussionist Kornél Mogyoró, and guitarist Bálint Gyémánt – the organizers are committed to making jazz accessible to everyone, which is why a wide range of free and crossover programs are also included.

   The festival opens on April 27 with a sunrise concert in the Philosophers’ Garden. That evening, Avishai Cohen will take the stage at Erkel Theatre, mesmerizing audiences with his double bass mastery and music enriched by Middle Eastern and Andalusian influences. On April 28, Scandinavian contemporary jazz meets Balkan sounds in Amphitrio’s performance, while Sardinian and Hungarian folk traditions intertwine at Fonó during a concert by Tenores di Orosei Antoni Mila & Borbély-Batyu-Mohácsy.

    A series of unique, one-time collaborations begins on April 29 at Eiffel Art Studios, where Miklós Lukács, György Orbán, András Dés, and Vincent Peirani promise an unforgettable experience as accordion and cimbalom come together. That same day, Premier KultCafé hosts My Italian Heart, a tribute to the late piano legend Chick Corea, performed by an ad-hoc ensemble of Italian and Hungarian musicians.

    In a remarkable reunion, three Hungarian pianists – Mátyás Gayer, Krisztián Oláh, and Áron Tálas – who all made it to the finals of the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival Piano Competition in 2015, will share the stage again, joined by Conor Chaplin and Gregory Hutchinson.

    One of the core missions of JazzFest Budapest is to foster unique productions. The Kristóf Bacsó Trio will collaborate with Kornél Fekete-Kovács, the Lóránt Péch Trio will be joined by saxophonist Máté Balogh, and the Péter Cseh Trio will perform with pianist Dániel Szabó for sessions of pure musical joy. The Grencsó 4 – featuring István Grencsó, Róbert Benkő, Szilveszter Miklós, and Bence Dóczi – will push the boundaries of improvisation and sonic experimentation. Meanwhile, world-renowned German saxophonist Tobias Delius, Hungarian avant-garde staple Péter Ajtai, and contemporary jazz figure Szilveszter Miklós will share the stage for a special performance.

    Among this year’s headliners are Israeli pianist Shai Maestro; Jojo Mayer with his Me/Machine project; Dhafer Youssef, who blends traditional Arabic melodies with modern jazz improvisation and electronic sounds; Rabih Abou-Khalil, transporting listeners into the enchanting world of the Middle East; and Polish bassist Kinga Glyk. Also featured is Nduduzo Makhathini, whose compositions are deeply rooted in both jazz and Zulu heritage. A once-in-a-lifetime experience awaits with 30 Years of e.s.t. – Tribute to Esbjörn Svensson Trio, and the trio of Antonio Faraò, John Patitucci, and Gene Jackson promises a standout performance.    On International Jazz Day, the city will come alive with free concerts showcasing the diversity of jazz. One highlight is the crossover production The Dragon. Impostor. Volcano., a dramatic concert blending text and improvised music with performances by Viktor Tóth, Gábor Weisz, Mihály Víg, Zsófi Kemény, Ádám Boncz, and Ágnes Márton. The world premiere of Eco Flight will also take place at JazzFest Budapest – a groundbreaking performance that merges live music with theater, aerial acrobatics, and visual art in the form of light painting.

    The festival will conclude on May 14 with a gala evening dedicated to Mihály Dresch. The celebrated saxophonist will appear with all three of his active ensembles – the Dresch Quartet, the Dresch Alternative Quartet, and the Dresch String Quartet – along with special guest artists and one-of-a-kind musical encounters.