Hungarians in History: Remembering Jazz Great Elek Bacsik

Historically, jazz has had a strong following in Hungary, being more permissible under the Socialist regime than consumerist-minded, Western rock. Jazz is also the choice of a highly intellectual population, and thus found no shortage of fans in Budapest. Many home-grown Hungarian jazz musicians, however, left their country of birth to find international fame in places like Paris and America, foremost Gábor Szabó. Another one of the greats, but perhaps lesser known as a solo artist, is guitarist and violinist Elek Bacsik, who was revered among the top names in jazz.

Bacsik had music in his genes: he is a cousin of legend Django Reinhardt. Born in 1926 in Budapest, he began playing violin at age four, and originally trained as a classical violinist at a local conservatory before turning to jazz. He soon became an in-demand jazz guitarist, and was taken abroad along with a touring Hungarian big band. Eventually deciding to relocate to Paris, he played at the city’s famous Left Bank jazz clubs. There, Bacsik had the opportunity to play alongside touring greats such as Lou Bennett and Dizzy Gillespie. He soon became a regular musician with jazz singer Serge Gainsbourg, as well as accompanying fellow Hungarian great György Cziffra.

But Paris couldn’t hold the restless musician, and Bacsik, travelled to places like Austria and Switzerland, even spending a whole two years as a musician in Lebanon. Then, in 1966, he relocated to America, where his gypsy and swing influenced jazz found an enthusiastic audience. Bacisk initially made his living by playing in Las Vegas pit orchestras, but was soon cutting his own sessions as the Bacsik Trio, a star in his own right. He would live out his days in the States, playing the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival, and even playing the 1984 Olympic Games. He died in the jazz-loving city of Chicago in 1993.

Below is a smooth-as-butter version of “All the Things You Are” with Serge Gainsbourg on piano. Perfect Sunday jazz, with a Hungarian twist.

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