line up

• Csarno Akos (Viola)
• Feher Viktor (Drums/Gardon)
• Feher Zsombor (Flutes/Electric Bagpipes)
• Konya Csaba (Bass Guitar)
• Namor Csaba (Koboz/Electric Koboz )

• country:
  Hungary
• region or city:
  Eastern Europe
• style(s):
  Roots Contemporary
• label:
  not signed
• type:
  Band
• gender:
  male
• instrumentation:
  instrumental
• artist submitted by:
  Bergan, Phil

Formed in 1995 Kerekes Band have played and studied with many of the 'Old Masters' of the Hungarian Folk Music scene. In 1998 Kerekes Given the accolade of 'Masters of Folk Art' by the Hungarian ministry of Culture. Kerekes have since set about inventing their own musical genre, 'Magyar Funk'.

In 2007 Kerekes third album Pimasz went Gold.

In 2008 Kerekes were awarded the title of 'Ambassadors of Hungarian Culture' for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue by the minister of Arts.

Based on ancient tunes from Transylvania, Moldova and Gymes, handed down through generations, Kerekes third album Pimasz brings all this musical history back to life for the 21st Century with its re-interpretation which includes elements of jazz, rock, funk and even drum & bass. Zsombor Feher's flute sometimes sounds like a virtuoso hard rock guitar solo. Csaba Namor's Koboz steps out from folk existence just as Akos Csarno's viola could be a background for Rap or a Turkish dance.

"Pimasz cuts a distinctive voice for the Kerekes Band: an irresistible groove of tumbling bass-lines, driving drums and wildly spiralling flute riffs...
From the opening track, 'Csango Boogie', they take their traditional instruments the Koboz, the Viola and the Flute on a fantastic musical voyage that skirts punk, funk and dance, with traditional Hungarian music and some fine drumming and production underpinning it. The band must absolutely rock live."
Mark Espiner - Songlines magazine

"The new record of Kerekes Band is the evidence that shows us, that if someone draws from the language of tradition he not only obtains power but can be the master of creativity. "Folk music" is the past of all pop music and it's most important component is creativity.
Kerekes handle the acquired musical language exquisitely and are able to present it in this modern form without compromising the old or the new.
Ferenc Sebo - Folk-Music Explorer

Kerekes Band have just released their fourth album 'Fel A Kalappal' which should be in the shops by November. Fel A Kalappal is a giant leap forward in Kerekes' output and brings ancient melodies from Tansylvania and Moldova right into the 21st Century.

Links

• Kerekes Band Website
• New Kerekes Track on YouTube