ZOLBERT
BIOGRAPHY
Zolbert is a saxophonist, composer and producer, Hungary's smooth jazz ambassador.
In 2013 one of his early compositions, Frappé, won the first prize in a smooth jazz club’s song contest of Zugló, Budapest. In 2014 he won the grand prize in the annual song contest on 90.9 Jazzy, Budapest’s leading jazz station. Another highlight of 2014 was a main-stage concert at VeszprémFest, one of Hungary’s leading jazz festivals, opening for globally renowned funk masters The Brand New Heavies.
Zolbert’s debut album One was released in April 2015 on Tom-Tom Records. The album enjoyed extensive airplay on US smooth jazz radios. One of its singles, Frappé was voted the 10th best track of 2015 in the TOP 25 list of the legendary Jazztrax station.
In 2016, Zolbert launched his own festival titled Zolbert Jazz & Wine Fest, introducing a new concept to Hungary’s festival scene by combining excellent local wine with state-of-the-art jazz.
Zolbert released his second album, Inside Out, which came out early 2017. The album features 13 brand new originals, including a vocal track with ace Hungarian vocalist extraordinaire Nicolas Takács.
His live concert album Live released in 2018. Recorded live with a sublime 10-piece band, it showcases 17 tracks from Zolbert's first two LPs.
In 2019 he played a supporting act show for the legendary Maceo Parker at the main stage of Paloznaki Jazzpiknik, Hungary's biggest jazz festival. In April 2020 his "Live" concert film has released in cooperation with 90.9 Jazzy Radio via online streaming, reaching thousands of jazz lovers. Currently, he is working on his 3rd studio album, which is coming in early 2022.
As one of the most promising young talents on the Hungarian music scene, he is reaching out to international audiences, presenting original songs that will thrill contemporary jazz fans the world over. He aims to represent the smooth jazz music and lifestyle in Central Europe and to reach Western European and US audiances as well.
He played 200 concert during the last 9 years.
ZOLBERT'S EQUIPMENT:
SOPRANO SAXOPHONE: Yanagisawa 900
Mouthpieces: Beechler HR (vintage) #7S, Pomarico HR (vintage) #6
Ligature: Ishimori Woodstone (GP)
Reeds: Marca Jazz (unfiled) #3
ALTO SAXOPHONE: King Super 20
Mouthpiece: Beechler Diamond S6S
Ligatures: Ishimori Woodstone (satin GP), Rampone & Cazzani NoLig
Reeds: Marca Jazz (filed) #3
TENOR SAXOPHONE: Rampone & Cazzani R1 Jazz (silver plated)
Necks: R&C "XX" (SP), R&C "Traditional" (SP)
Mouthpiece: AM (Arnold Montgomery) Katana HR #7*
Ligature: Rampone & Cazzani NoLig, Saxxas (SP)
Reeds: Marca Jazz (unfiled) #3, #3.5
BARITONE SAXOPHONE: Keilwerth New King
Mouthpiece: Berg Larsen HR 100/2
Ligature: Saxxas (B)
Reeds: Marca Jazz (unfiled) #2.5
Flute: Sankyo
SAX MICROPHONE: Neumann MCM114 clip-on microphone
WIRELESS SYSTEM: Sennheiser EW-D
EAR-MONITOR: Sennheiser G4 wireless system, Sennheiser IE 40 Pro in-ear headphones
