Musicians' Café: János Bangó & His Band

The aim of the series is to draw attention to one of the most important parts of Hungarian heritage, the gypsy music of the cafés, which sadly is increasingly neglected nowadays. 

Whether it is the stirring melodies of stringed Roma bands or the moving melodies of bar pianists, music has always permeated the restaurants, pubs and cafés of Hungarian towns. Once a month, the Musicians’ Café series, launched in the café at the House of Music Hungary, takes its audience into the world of visiting musicians. During our café evenings, we bring to life the restaurant atmosphere of the Gyula Krúdy era, celebrities like Pál Jávor and Antal Páger, who partied with the bands, or decadent jazz musicians. The aim of the series is to draw attention to one of our most important Hungarian heritage items: café Roma music, which is sadly being neglected increasingly.

The distinguished prima violin János Bangó was born in Budapest on 25 January 1988, the first of three children to parents who were both from a renowned dynasty of musicians. His father, the elder János Bangó, while not becoming a musician himself, was from a renowned musical family on both sides of his family, and his mother, Mariann Sarkadi, was also descended from a famous musical family. He began his studies at Music School at the age of six and later attended arts courses. At the age of 16, he was accepted into the world-famous Rajko Orchestra, where he spent two years, learning his craft under the tutelage of some of the most distinguished teachers and artists. He was also tutored by Dezső Horváth and Gyula Vadászi. After which, he became a member of the Hungarian Heritage and Hungaricum Award-winning 100-piece Gypsy Orchestra for nearly a year, and as a member of that orchestra he toured almost every country in Europe. He served his apprenticeship in the band of the distinguished prima violin Miklós Lakatos in the Márványmenyasszony Restaurant, where he played for three years. For one year he was an assistant prima in the orchestra of the Miklós Lakatos Music School in Budapest. He also played in the orchestra of József Csicsó as a student principal. During his student years he also played at the Kulacs Restaurant, the Royal Hotel and the Aquincum Hotel. Later, at the age of 19, he founded his own group, with which he played for 10 years in the Fekete Holló Restaurant, and with which he has since then been invited to play so very many concerts.