The group performs original compositions, as well as innovative adaptations of classic compositions.  The band combines the creative energies of violinist Lato Frankie, drummer Flora Joubert, and Erkel Ferenc Prize winning pianist and composer János Nagy.  Janos Nagy Trio combines ethnic, classical and jazz influences, successfully bridging and melding the traditionally accepted boundaries between the genres.  It is known as an ensemble that exemplifies freedom in music and the search for new ways of expression.

The brilliant pianist and bandleader, JANOS NAGY YANCHA is one of the handful of world-class jazz pianists in Hungary. Among other top acts, he leads the Free Style Chamber Orchestra and plays for European Mantra. In 1997 he was voted ’Best Soloist’ at the Getxo International Jazz Festival. In 1998 he won the coveted eMeRton Prize as „Soloist of the Year”. In 2001 at the Mediawave Festival he accompanied David Murray where he earned high praise from the American tenor-sax idol and critics of Gramofon magazine named the concert Event of the Year. He also played to tremendous acclaim in London, Poland, Macau and Vilnius. In the UK he was backing the Hungarian songstress Bea Tisza in 2003  at the legendary 606 Club and subsequently recorded with her their, to date,  first British album. He returned to the 606 two years ago with a British trio and brought the house down.  This time he will be backed by two sensational musicians: FRANKIE LATO on violin and FLÓRA JOUBERT on the drums.

The János Nagy Trio will celebrate its 25th birthday in 2019. The lineup has changed couple of times since, but the most important of them was when in 2014 the ‘obligatory’ double bass player of a traditional piano trio was replaced by a violinist. “Without a bass instrument, I think, I have more freedom both in harmony, rhythm and in the group’s sound. For me no finished compositions exist, they change during the concerts constantly, so I can break the rules, set by ourselves, much more daringly and unbounded” says the pianist.

In the spring of 2018 the trio released Debussy 100, an album dedicated to the magnificent French composer, featuring French saxophonist Vincent Mascart. If this still wouldn’t be enough, this year a brand new other one, Yancha, will come out. The album, referring with its title to the pianist’s well-known nickname, features guest artists such as bass player Dominique Di Piazza and guitarist Mike Stern.

“The album is sort of a self-definition. I’ve played and written many kinds of music in the recent years: music for contemporary puppet performances, soundtracks, arrangements of Protestant chants and jazz rock. I was looking for an answer to the question whom of all these I am mostly and tried to find it with the music on this album. It is a special gift for me to have such wonderful companions as Frankie Látó and Flóra Joubert, so I wrote most of the compositions for the band members. The guest appearance of the two fantastic, world-renowned musicians just elevated this feeling. It is a great pleasure and honour for me to play with Dominique Di Piazza for years, not only on concerts but being both of us among the tutors at the Balatonfüred World Music and Improvisation Camp in the summer seasons regularly. As a member of the group Balkan Union, I had the luck and pleasure to play with Mike Stern in the summer of 2017 at the Nisville Jazz Festival – the idea of his appearance on the album came through this joint concert experience.” János Nagy Yancha