World class pianist, Béla Szakcsi Lakatos immediately caught the attention of the British critics when he played with Arnie Somogyi’s ten-piece band, Improvokation both at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival and at Ronnie Scott’s. Alyn Shipton in The Times wrote of “the brilliantly eccentric pianism of Bela Szakcsi Lakatos”, while John Fordham of The Guardian simply stated that “pianist Bela Szakcsi Lakatos is wonderful”.

In November 2007 he and his augmented group represented Hungary at the London Jazz Festival. His frenetically successful concert was broadcast live by Radio 3. Krisztián Pecek Lakatos was 14 when he won the National Jazz Bass Competition in his country that is chock-a-block full of terrific bass players – most of them Roma Gypsies (John Pattitucci was on the jury who insisted that Krisztián shares the stage with him at his own Budapest concert next day).

Krisztián has since woved London audiences several times with his astonishing mastery of the double bass. The third member of the trio is the amazingly versatile drummer/percussionist/singer Emilio, a great favourite with audiences.

On Saturday we proudly present the fantastic young British band on its European tour: The Imperial College Big Band



IC Big Band is London based and is one of the UK’s leading University Big Bands, playing swing, latin, funk and jazz and regularly playing in leading jazz clubs in London and the London Jazz Festival. A few years ago, they played at the Shanghai World Expo and go on a European tour every year; previously visiting Berlin, Prague, Krakow and Istanbul, where they played as part of the Istanbul Jazz Festival.

They have also won national competitions, and received direction from leading members of the UK jazz establishment. They wrote the following to us: “We have heard fantastic things about the Budapest Jazz Club and are really excited at the opportunity to play there.”

Check them out on their website

Entry fee: 1400 forints

The BJC is in the 13th district at Hollán Ernő utca 7

There is no compulsion to eat or drink but there is a well stocked bar with also cocktails made to order at non-extortionate prices. For food you’ll have to resort to a staple diet of sandwiches, crisps and nuts.

Visit BJC online