The Gázsa Band was formed in 1993 by members of the then Budapest Dance Ensemble's (now the Hungarian National Dance Ensemble) band.
The band is named after its lead violinist and founder, István Papp “Gázsa,” a key figure in the Transylvanian dance house (táncház) movement.They perform traditional folk music from various regions of Transylvania and Hungary, using a classic string band setup.
While the group initially gained recognition as an accompanist for folk dance ensembles, it is now best known for its concerts, dance house events, and folk music masterclasses.
A central part of their repertoire is the traditional music of Őrkő, a Roma community in Sfântu Gheorghe (Sepsiszentgyörgy, Romania). This style gained wider recognition with the release of their 2003 album From Budapest to Kommandó. In 2008, they followed up with The Őrkő People in Budapest, a full-length album featuring musicians and tradition bearers from Őrkő.
At the Méra World Music Festival, the band presents its unique repertoire alongside special guests, including Levente Fazakas of the Heveder Ensemble, as well as traditional dancers and musicians from Őrkő—bringing the vibrant musical and dance culture of the region to life.
István Papp Gázsa – violin
Levente Székely – violin
Péter Árendás – viola
Róbert Liber – double bass
Dániel Szabó – cimbalom
Featuring: Levente Fazakas – violin
The Gázsa Band was formed in 1993 by members of the then Budapest Dance Ensemble's (now the Hungarian National Dance Ensemble) band.
The band is named after its lead violinist and founder, István Papp “Gázsa,” a key figure in the Transylvanian dance house (táncház) movement.They perform traditional folk music from various regions of Transylvania and Hungary, using a classic string band setup.
While the group initially gained recognition as an accompanist for folk dance ensembles, it is now best known for its concerts, dance house events, and folk music masterclasses.
A central part of their repertoire is the traditional music of Őrkő, a Roma community in Sfântu Gheorghe (Sepsiszentgyörgy, Romania). This style gained wider recognition with the release of their 2003 album From Budapest to Kommandó. In 2008, they followed up with The Őrkő People in Budapest, a full-length album featuring musicians and tradition bearers from Őrkő.
At the Méra World Music Festival, the band presents its unique repertoire alongside special guests, including Levente Fazakas of the Heveder Ensemble, as well as traditional dancers and musicians from Őrkő—bringing the vibrant musical and dance culture of the region to life.
István Papp Gázsa – violin
Levente Székely – violin
Péter Árendás – viola
Róbert Liber – double bass
Dániel Szabó – cimbalom
Featuring: Levente Fazakas – violin
