Jazz Stories…
Tzumo Arpad Olah started playing the piano at the age of seven. After studying classical music at Budapest’s Weiner Leo Conservatory (and later within various institutions around the world), winning various competitions and scholarships, he’s been performing as a jazz musician worldwide since 2001. You’ll be able to see the musical-sensation perform on the city’s Columbus Jazz Boat later this month with The Tzumo Trio, but before then, we wanted to know a bit more about the man himself…
Were you interested in music from an early age? If so, were you interested in jazz or different kinds of music?
No, I wasn’t only interested in Jazz. I was seven years old when I started to learn classical music, and think it’s very interesting to learn. You have to learn how to play your instrument. When I have time, I still practice classical music; I love it. Especially Bach.
How did your jazz career get started?
I was born into a musical family. My father is a drummer, so jazz was always around the house. I got into it very young. I think my career started when I won the Bela Bartok Radio Jazz Piano Competition, in 1998. I was 18 years old at the time.
What do you think about the Budapest jazz scene?
It’s full of great musicians! There are so many great pianists in town…
Please tell us a bit about the Tzumo Trio and how the band started.
This is a new band. My friend, Robert Maloschik, asked me to establish a trio to enter The North Sea Jazz Competition. I have two different bands: an acoustic and an electric one. I like to play different styles of music – R‘n’B, jazz-rock etc….
What has been the proudest moment of your career to date?
I was never proud of myself. I just thank God that I had the opportunity to play and to study with the greatest of musicians: like Terence Blanchard, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. I still think about those moments.
And the worst?
There have been many…
You must have travelled a lot in your career. What’s the most fascinating place you have visited so far?
Definitely Jerusalem.
What’s the best thing about performing on the Columbus Jazz Boat?
It reminds me of the time when I was a child and played on a Greek ship with my father. I think Columbus is an excellent place, because live jazz music is played there four times a week.
Has anything really funny ever happened to you during a performance or a rehearsal?
Yes, a lot. You know, we jazz musicians like to improvise in life. Sometimes it can be very funny.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Wow! I don’t know, please ask the audience.
If you weren’t a musician, what you be? Have you ever considered a different job?
A painter or an actor maybe… I never think about what I would be; music is my body and soul.
What advice would you give to budding young jazz musicians?
To learn how to listen each other when they’re playing, and practice a lot.
What are your hopes for the future?
To be a musician, I guess.
Catch Tzumo and The Tzumo Trio at the Columbus Jazz Club on June 18th.
Date: June 18
Columbus Jazz Club
Tel.: +36.1.266.9013
www.majazz.hu
www.tzumo.com