Jackie Orszaczky
Jackie Orszaczky | |
|---|---|
| File:Jackie Orszaczky.jpg | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Budapest, Hungary |
| Genres | Jazz, blues, R&B, funk |
| Instrument(s) | Bass guitar |
| Years active | 1968–2008 |
Jackie Orszaczky (8 May 1948, Budapest, Hungary – 3 February 2008, Sydney, Australia) was a Hungarian-Australian musician, arranger, and record producer, (jazz, blues, R&B, funk) playing mainly bass guitar, but also various other instruments.[1]
Early life
Orszaczky studied classical piano and violin in Budapest.
Work
While in his 20s, Orszaczky was a well known bass guitarist in Hungary.
Orszaczky toured Australia in 1970-71 with the jazz-fusion group Syrius. During the tour the group recorded an album in Melbourne, that was released both in Australia and Hungary.[1]
After returning to Australia in 1974, Orszaczky joining an experimental group Bakery. He then established a career as a leading musician in the front rank of much of the best jazz, soul, funk and rhythm & blues music created in Australia in the 1970s to the 2000s. He also continued to tour in Hungary, and continued to command crowds of 3,000 to 30,000 people at his annual Budapest concerts.
Orszaczky performed with various groups: The Grandmasters, with partner Tina Harrod; Jump Back Jack; the Godmothers; The Orszaczky Budget Orchestra; and, the Jackie Orszaczky Band.[1]
He was musical director and arranger for the Marcia Hines, and wrote arrangements and orchestrations for The Whitlams, You Am I, Hoodoo Gurus, Tim Finn,[1] Savage Garden, Hoodoo Gurus, Grinspoon and Leonardo's Bride.[2] He also collaborated with Tony Buck, Chris Abrahams, Andrew Robson.[3]
His last gig was at the Macquarie Hotel in Surry Hills on 24 January 2008, a night the trombonist James Greening described as unbelievable. "Since his illness (cancer) he continued to sing better and better every time I played with him," said Greening, who played with Orszaczky for 25 years. "It was inspiring and really empowering."[2]
'Piccolo' bass
In the early 1990s, Orszaczky developed the 'piccolo' bass, a high-tuned bass guitar with light gauge bass strings pitched either at D, G, C, F or E, A, D, G. This instrument became his signature in the later years.
Discography
Selected discs:
- 1971 - Devil's Masquerade, Syrius
- 1975 - Morning in Beramiada
- 1994 - Most, Múlt, Lesz, Syrius
- 1994 - Family Lore, Jackie Orszaczky and the Grand Masters
- 2001 - Deserted Downtown
- 2004 - Shacked Up In Paradise, Tina Harrod, produced by J Orszaczky
Family
Orszaczky also collaborated musically with his partner, the singer Tina Harrod. They had one daughter, Mia.
References
- ^ a b c d Jazz Icon Jackie Orszaczky Dies, DIG Radio, 4 February 2008, accessed 10 February 2008
- ^ a b Music lovers mourn band leader Jackie Orszaczky, Sydney Morning Herald, 5 February 2008, accessed 10 February 2008
- ^ Jackie Orszaczky 1948-2008, Jazz Australia, 4 February 2008, accessed 10 February 2008