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Robi Botos

ROBI BOTOS has been hailed as one of the most diverse multi-instrumentalists of this generation. From the hard-bop style of Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock, to the swing of Oscar Peterson and the heartfelt melodic expression of Mulgrew Miller and Cedar Walton, Robi has managed to master the technique of his idols, all while showcasing his musical expressions in a voice that is purely his own. While Robi is known for being a strong player in the traditional jazz and funk fields, he always incorporates an element of the music he grew up listening to into his playing. Says organist, trumpeter and pianist Joey Defrancesco: “Robi is one of the most swingin’, soulful, funky, world class players I’ve ever heard, and he has a technique like you can’t believe. Definitely one of my very favorite players!!!”

Born of Romani descent in Hungary, Robi taught himself first to play drums as a young child, and got his first taste of being a professional musician working throughout Budapest. Robi was first introduced to the piano when he was 7 years old, and never looked back. He continued to perform throughout Hungary and when he turned 20, decided to move his wife and children to Canada, to further pursue the career he was born for. Now 20 years later, Robi has solidified himself as one of the most sought-after pianists in the country.

Immediately after coming to Canada, Robi immersed himself into both the Canadian and international jazz scene. In 2004, he traveled to Montreux to compete in the Montreux Jazz Festival’s solo piano competition, where he placed first. His prize? Returning the following year to open for one of the headlining artists. That artists happened to be one of Robi’s idols - Oscar Peterson. Unknowingly to Robi, Peterson sat in the wings as Robi performed and upon their return to Canada, the two would form a friendship that resulted in Robi being one of OP’s final mentees. Over the next few years, Robi would continue to participate in and win global prizes and awards including the International “Jazz Hoeilaart” band competition in Belgium, the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) award in California, and the “Martial Solal Piano Competition” in Paris. In 2006, Robi would receive his first JUNO Award nomination for his participation in the ALMA Records release, “One Take.”

Since moving to Canada, Robi has been given the chance to work with many of the greats in his industry including Al Jarreau, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride, Terri Lyne Carrington, Joey Defrancesco, Steve Gadd and Chaka Khan and has participated in projects with Michel Legrand, Chick Corea, Bill Charlap, Benny Green, and Kenny Barron. Robi wasted no time laying down roots in Toronto. He has been the pianist of choice for Officer of the Order of Canada, Molly Johnson, for close to 15 years and has worked extensively with some of Canada’s most celebrated players including Dave Young, Phil Dwyer, Archie Alleyne, Oliver Jones, Renee Rosnes, Sophie Milman, Paul Novotny, Carol Welsman and more.

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Album Review

Guido Basso: One More For The Road

Read "One More For The Road" reviewed by Pierre Giroux


Guido Basso, known for his mastery of the flugelhorn and trumpet, died in February of 2023. From his earliest days in Montreal playing with the Maury Kaye band, to working in the US with top performers such Vic Damone and Pearl Bailey, Basso gained a reputation as a consummate musician who was capable of working in a variety of settings. Deciding not to remain in the U.S., Basso returned to Canada and settled in Toronto. Here, he established himself as ...

4
Album Review

Robi Botos: Old Soul

Read "Old Soul" reviewed by Anya Wassenberg


Old Soul is a personal meditation wrapped up in a contemporary jazz album, offering complex yet accessible music with diverse influences that stem from Robi Botos' life story. Pianist and multi-instrumentalist Robi Botos takes his core quartet of Seamus Blake on sax, Mike Downes on bass, and Larnell Lewis on drums through a collection of largely original tracks that revolve around themes of lost places and friends, new hope and optimism for the future. “Old Soul," ...

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All About Jazz Top 10 Tracks: May 2018

All About Jazz Top 10 Tracks: May 2018

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz features a free song every day spanning all genres of jazz, and of the 30 tracks featured in May, these ten represent our personal favorites. We also included the top ten reader favorites as indicated by total listens. Musicians and record labels can submit full length MP3s for consideration here. Enjoy! EDITOR'S PICKS Budapest Robi Botos From: Old Soul 06:59 IMA IMA (feat. Tom Harrell) Meg Okura ...

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Recording

Bill McBirnie - Mercy (Featuring Robi Botos) - Tracking Info and Critiques

Bill McBirnie - Mercy (Featuring Robi Botos) - Tracking Info and Critiques

Source: Michael Ricci

Below is some recent tracking information as well as some further critical reaction to Bill McBirnie's new acoustic jazz flute release, Mercy (featuring Robi Botos).

TRACKING INFORMATION:

Mercy has been achieving some active rotation and is filtering upwards in various spin-cycles, per the following: (1) - Mercy has reached the “Top 40 New Releases" at the web site of US-syndicated Jazz DJ, Bob Parlocha. (2) - Mercy is currently a “Featured Release" at Canada's Premier Jazz Station, JazzFM91. (3) - ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

One More For The Road

Cornerstone Records Inc.
2023

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Old Soul

A440 Music
2018

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From: Old Soul
By Robi Botos

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