Béla Szakcsi Lakatos

Takis Farazis is recorded as having studied under Béla Szakcsi Lakatos. The recorded working language is Hungarian. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are jazz and ethno jazz. Distinctions recorded are Kossuth Prize, Franz Liszt Prize and Meritorius Artist of Hungary.

• Name — Béla Szakcsi Lakatos • Birthplace — Budapest, Hungary • Place of death — Budapest, Hungary • Occupation — Pianist

Born in Budapest, Szakcsi Lakatos studied at the Bartók Béla Zeneművészeti és Hangszerészképző Gyakorló Szakgimnázium Ellenőrzött lap and started his professional career in the mid-sixties. In the 1970s he was part of the Aladár Pege's quartet, with whom he performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival to great critical acclaim. Later he was part of the bands Rákfogó and Saturnus, as well as leader of his own ensemble. He recorded 16 albums and composed several musicals. Szakcsi is regarded as a key figure in promoting the jazz and fusion genres in Hungary. During his career he received numerous honours and accolades, including the Kossuth Prize and the title of Magyarország Érdemes Művésze díj. He died on 2 October 2022, at the age of 79.

Szakcsi has created numerous songs throughout his career: • The Nocturner (Chopin után szabadon) • All of You (Téged) • Love Letters (Szerelmes levelek) • How High the Moon (Milyen magas a hold) • Ballerina (Balerina) • First Love (Első szerelem) • East Wonder Blues (Keleti csoda blues) • The Last Time Together (Utoljára együtt) • Magic Makers (Csodacsináló) • Don't Disturb • Zöld disznó dala • Utcabál • Hegyi tavak meséje • Marionette • Pirkadat • Days of Wine and Roses • Over the Rainbow • Green Dolphin Street • Autumn Leaves • Bye Bye Blackbird • Mood Indigo • Summertime • Body and Soul

His albums include: • Szakcsi–Sa-Chi (1988) • Mystic Dreams (1989) • Eve of Chance (1992) • Straight Ahead (1994) • Virágom, virágom / My Beloved, My Beloved (1998) • On the Way Back Home (Útban hazafelé) (2000) • In One Breath (2001) • Long, Hot Summer – Songs of Pál S. Gábor (2001) • Na Dara! (2004) • Check It Out, Igor (2005) • 8 Trios for 4 Pianists (2006) • Live at the Budapest Jazz Club (2010) • Climate Change (2014) • Density of Standards (2017)