A native of Hungary, pianist Kálmán Oláh has gained international renown as an artist who masterfully combines elements of jazz, folk and contemporary classical music. His debut for Memphis International is Always, a prophetic title for an album by an artist whose place in the world of jazz promises to be enduring. The title song, in fact, earned Kálmán the Grand Prize in the BMI-sponsored Thelonious Monk International Jazz Composer’s Competition. Always, to be released on June 26th, finds Kálmán in a trio setting with a rhythm section that is the gold standard of the genre: drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist Ron McClure who first rose to lasting prominence with Charles Lloyd and Keith Jarrett. DeJohnette is effusive in his praise for Kálmán, stating in the liner notes to Always, ““When Kálmán swings, he does it authentically, it’s soulful and sophisticated, as well.”
While Kálmán Oláh is a new name to American audiences, he’s a seasoned player having appeared in Europe with score of well-known artists including Lee Konitz, Randy Brecker, Pat Metheny, Steve Grossman, John Patitucci, Tommy Campbell, Stefano Di Battista, Jay Leonhart, Daniel Humair, Andrej Ceccarelli, Paolo Fresu, Kenny Wheeler and many others.
Kálmán was born in Budapest of Romany (Gypsy) parentage and graduated from the Béla Bartok Conservatory, completing his musical studies at Franz Liszt Music University, on whose jazz faculty he currently sits. During his student years, his unique, ecumenical approach
gained him widespread recognition, winning numerous awards at competitions both in Hungary and abroad including the Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, Florida.
Kálmán has become a regular at festivals in Italy, France, Spain, Belgium and elsewhere. His versatility as a performer is demonstrated by his passion to expand the musical boundaries and his ever-lasting quest for new forms of self-expression. The brilliance of both his playing and compositional skills as heard on Always confirms that a bright new star, from a most unlikely place, has alighted in our midst.
