Listen: Ferenc Nemeth – “War”

The drummer Ferenc Nemeth keeps a busy schedule. For years now, he's been consistently sought after by numerous bandleaders, and has found himself on stage with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Terence Blanchard, Billy Childs, and Christian McBride, among many others.Most frequently, Ferenc can be heard alongside the guitarist and Blue Note recording artist Lionel Loueke (who just finished a weekend-long run here) and the bassist Massimo Biolcati. The trio has appeared on each of Loueke's critically acclaimed albums for Blue Note, and have also released two collaborative recordings under the name Gilfema for the ObliqSound label.Yet Ferenc has also made leading his own band a priority. The drummer released his debut album Night Songs (Dreamers' Collective) in 2007, which features the guitarist Lionel Loueke, the saxophonists Chris Cheek and Mark Turner, the pianist Aaron Parks, and the bassist John Patitucci. JazzTimes praised the effort, writing:

A strain of melancholy longing runs through drummer Ferenc Nemeth’s dreamlike debut as a leader, as delicately layered melodies billow and merge in overlapping waves. Nemeth’s rolling cadences provide direction, while the twin saxophones of Chris Cheek and Mark Turner dance in an intimate pas de deux or roam introspective byways. Aaron Parks is sunny yet mysterious on piano, and guitarist Lionel Loueke’s sparkling, ethereal lines and quiet vocalizing add a sense of fantasy to this elusively structured set.

We presented the CD release concert for Night Songs in 2007, and we look forward to welcoming Ferenc back to our stage this with a different lineup in tow on Thursday night. This iteration of the band will include the saxophonist Chris Potter, the pianist Sam Yahel, the guitarist Lionel Loueke, and special guest bassist Richard Bona.Listen to a recording of "War" from Night Songs.