Miklós Lukács

b. 1977, Törökszentmiklós, Hungary. Lukács studied music from early childhood, including later spells at Béla Bartók Conservatory and Ferenc Liszt Music College. He concentrated on the cimbalom, a hammered dulcimer, and took an abiding interest in traditional musical forms from central Europe, notably those of Romany origin. He formed an attachment to jazz, which he blends effortlessly with traditional music. His compositions include a concerto and divertimento, both for cimbalom and chamber orchestra, and Hazám (My Country) for the Krétakör Theatre. A fluid improviser and a master of the cimbalom, Lukács has worked in jazz and classical music with musicians such as drummer Elemer Balazs, pianists Jozsef Balazs, Gabor Cseke and Béla Szakcsi Lakatos, saxophonists Mihaly Borbely and Mihály Dresch, guitarist Gabor Juhasz, Kvartett B, singer Tony Lakatos, trumpeter Gerard Presencer, the Budapest Festival Orchestra and East Side Jazz Company.