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Nikolett Pankovits

New York City isn’t just an essential crucible for jazz talent. It’s a creative hothouse where artists from around the globe come together and develop new hybrids evolving from the experience of transplanting their musical roots. For the Hungarian-born vocalist Nikolett Pankovits, the Gotham scene provided an ideal forum for melding the music of her youth with her love of jazz and kindred musical currents. Her impressive debut album Magia is a startlingly beautiful project that centers on Hungarian songs set to various Latin American rhythms.

Nikolett Pankovits: River

Read "River" reviewed by Friedrich Kunzmann

by Friedrich Kunzmann
February 1, 2021

A dominating proportion of Hungarian lyrics paired with various Hungarian folkloric elements spread across fourteen compositions lend influential character but aren't all-defining on vocalist Nikolett Pankovits' ambitious sophomore outing, River. On the album, the Hungarian singer, based out of New York, is joined by an octet choir of handpicked Hungarian vocalists, who add complex harmonic movements and much body to traditional Hungarian songs that are treated to improvisational arrangements and Latin grooves. The result is a fusion of ...

Album Review

Nikolett Pankovits: Magia

by Mark Sullivan
November 6, 2016

Vocalist Nikolett Pankovits was born in Hungary, but she found her musical direction in New York City melding Hungarian songs with Latin American rhythms. She has a lovely warm voice, with almost no vibrato. Magia (the Spanish and Hungarian word for magic) is an eclectic mix of traditional Hungarian songs, torch songs, one Great American Songbook standard, and one original. The album opens in traditional territory, with the Béla Bartók arrangement of “Kis Kece Lányom." “Madárka, madárka" is also a ...

“ 'River' seems to me about knowing where the water flows, where the banks are, and how to bridge those distant banks.“ – Zipernovszky Kornel

"Nikolett Pankovits makes a strong debut here, aided by Herrera's skillful arranging and a strong supporting cast of musicians." - All About Jazz (Mark Sullivan)

"This album contains some of the freshest vocals you’re going to come across this year." - Jazz Weekly (George W. Harris)

"Nikolett Pankovits has crafted a singular sound on her self-released debut album Magia".- Jazziz

"One can imagine her singing in a Hungarian bistro pouring her heart out." - Downbeat (Bob Protzman)