MoNaMo is a Hungarian musical
group that entered the World Music scene in 2011. The group performs original
compositions, many written to accompany texts of contemporary Hungarian poets,
as well as innovative adaptations of classic compositions. The band combines
the creative energies of singer-violinist Edina Szirtes (Mókus), percussionist
Kornél Mogyoró, and Erkel Ferenc Prize winning pianist and composer János Nagy.
MoNaMo 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.
János Nagy – piano
After
graduating from the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music with a degree in jazz piano,
composing and arranging, János Nagy won first place at the Jazz Juniors contest
in Krakow. He received the “Best Soloist” award at the Getxo International Jazz
Festival, and in 2003, as “Best Soloist of the Year,” he was given an eMeRTon
award. In 2005 he received an Artisjus award. Over the course of his career he
has played and recorded with, among others, Al Di Meola, Alex Acuna, Arnie
Somogyi, Ben Castle, Bernard Maseli, David Murray, Dave Samuels, Dewey Redman,
Krzysztof Scieranski, Garry Willis, Paco Sery, Sangoma Everett, Tony Lakatos
and Winston Clifford. In 2002, he composed a one-act opera, The
Ventriloquist, and in 2003, jointly with Miklós Malek, he made an adaptation
of Bizet’s Carmen, giving rise to something
new, mingling elements of classical, contemporary and jazz. He directs the
Freestyle Chamber Orchestra, a 20-strong ensemble he founded in 2004. It comprises
jazz combo, strings and woodwinds, and the János Nagy Quintet, which fuses jazz
with folk and old Protestant hymns, which he founded in 2002. He originally
formed the János Nagy Trio in 2000. An early concert with saxophonist David
Murray was voted the Jazz Event of 2001, in the Gramofon
Magazine. Since then the János Nagy Trio have continued to develop, playing
many original compositions by János Nagy, collaborating with numerous guest
artists, and touring widely.
Edina
Szirtes „Mókus” – vocal, violin
As a virtuoso musician Edina Szirtes „Mókus” is familiar
with a variety of styles, but she has still managed to develop her own special
sound, both in singing and on the violin. She has composed music for exhibitions
and dramatic performances, for example at the Szeged Contemporary Ballet. These
compositions blend Classical, Ethno and Jazz styles. She has collaborated with
numerous well-known Hungarian groups and performers (Muddy Shoes, Hevesi Tamas,
Zseda, TNT, Nyers, Kovacsmuhely, Rakonczai Viktor, Gallai Peter, Kovacs
Kriszta). She is also regularly on tour in Europe with her own bands (Harmonia
Garden, Blues B.R.Others, Dafina, Hajnal, Ex-tri, Alex Paid Holiday, Koller
Attila Band, Pavlovits David). A distinctive talent, in Nomada, she plays the violin freely, without any
stylistic constraints, and she performs Gypsy songs with deep feeling and
emotion.
Kornél Mogyoró – percussion
Kornél Mogyoró has been playing music since his early
childhood, and he had become a professional performer by the age of 18.
He is skilled in a
wide range of versatile musical genres, and is a virtuoso percussionist,
drummer, and songwriter. In his unique delivery, Mogyoró unites drumming and percussioning.
He is accomplished at hand percussion techniques (conga, bongo, djembe, cajon,
etc.), finger techniques (darbuka, riq, bodhran, etc.), and drumstick play
(timbales, drum). He is constantly touring with ensembles, and with occasional
formations in Hungary, and across Europe.
During his career, he has performed on stage with the big
names in Hungarian pop, rock, jazz, and world music genres (Gabor Presser,
Tatrai Band, Agnes Szaloki, Agnes Herczku, Bikini, Nikola Parov, Kolinda,
European Mantra, Vojasa, etc.), as well as with internationally acclaimed
artists and ensembles (Benjamin Herman, Raynald Colom, Paulo Russo, „Dhoad”
Gipsies Of Rajastan). In 2001 he participated in a tour with the European Youth
Jazz Orchestra.
He has performed at the most prestigious European jazz and
world music festivals, as well as at theatre festivals, in more than 20
countries. Besides this, he has contributed to more than 20 theatrical
performances, both as collaborator and performer (Maladype Theatre, Szeged
Contemporary Dance Company, New Theatre, Vörösmarty Theatre, Jaszai Mari
Theatre, etc.) His masterful playing can be heard on more than 50
recordings, in a short film, in 3 animated films, and in 2 feature films.
Currently he is a member of MoNaMo, as well as Vojasa,
Eastwing, and Hungarian Jazz Quartet ensembles.
