Xpat Interview: Tommy Vig - Jazz Percussionist
- 31 Aug 2010 12:00 PM
Born to a musical family in Budapest, Tommy Vig was internationally recognized as a child prodigy by the age of 6, playing drums with his clarinetist father. His sense of improvisation, rhythm and energy made him unique, and he performed live concerts on radio and at the Budapest City Theatre, the Music Academy, and even the National Circus! By the age of 8 he made a record (called "The World Champion Kid Drummer") with the best Austrian jazz players in Vienna.
After World War II, Tommy benefited from the lively musical recovery in Hungary, and completed his studies at the Bartók Béla Conservatory in 1955 and the Erkel Ferenc Music High School in Budapest, graduating in 1956...After the 1956 Hungarian Revolution was defeated, Tommy took a chance and walked through the Russian mine fields to freedom to Austria, where he played at Fatty George's Jazz Club and performed with Joe Zawinul at the Vienna Music Academy, before leaving for New York. He had already chosen his main instrument to be the vibraphone.
In the summer of 2006, Tommy and Mia moved to Hungary permanently, where they have been enthralling audiences with their brilliant playing in concerts, and on television and radio. They have recorded several CDs, including the "ÜssDob", ("Beat It!") and "Now and Then".
Click here to read Tommy's full story
1. Where did you grow up?
Budapest
2. What Hungarian traditions bring back fond memories of your childhood?
Zenei Gimnázium
3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?
The cultural interest
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Jánoshegyi kilátó (lookout), Hungarian National Museum, a cruise on the Danube, Hungarian National Gallery in the Castle.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Borjúpörkölt ( beef stew)
6. What is never missing from your kitchen?
Bread and butter.
7. What is your favourite place in Hungary?
WestEnd
8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
None, I was and will always be a serious MUSICIAN
9. What's a job you would definitely never want?
To be a banker or a politician
10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Balatonalmádi
11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Héviz
12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Benny Goodman, North By Nortwest, Jazzman
13. What can't you resist?
Telling the truth
14. Red wine or white?
Red
15. Kolbász or szalámi?
Szalámi
16. Book or movie?
Both, American movies and American and Hungarian books. I am int he middle of Moby Dick at the moment. Favorite Hungarian author: Rejtő Jenő
17. Morning person or night person?
Morning
18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Hungarians ought to help each other, not envy each other
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Both
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Be true to yourself!