The Kecskemét Jazz Orchestra was founded in 1999 and has been led by artistic director József Török. Its members are both amateur and professional musicians who have been gathering experiences in different jazz groups. Their repertoire includes an impressive range of the big band literature from the classics of Count Basie, Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington to the more modern rockish sounding tunes. They have been performing with the same line.up since their foundation: 5 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 T-bones, piano, drums, guitar, bass.
They have performed throughout Hungary (Szolnok, Szeged, Nagykőrös, Pepsi Island Festival in Budapest, Salgótarján International Dixieland Festival, Sárospatak Dixieland and Blues Festival, Nagykanizsa Alpok-Adria Jazz Festival, Valley of Arts Festival, Sajószöged Big Band Festival, Kiskunhalas, Cegléd, Kiskőrös International Bohém Ragtime & Jazz Festivals in Kecskemét). On their main concert in 1999 the Kecskemét Jazz Orchestra was directed by the great Ray Eubanks (artistic director of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Ohio, USA). They have played with guests such as singer Adrien Szekeres, sax player István Bergendy and István Elek, trumpet player Tamás Bényei, just to name a few.
The orchestra recorded for the Hungarian Radio in April 2002. The ensemble received Golden Diploma at the 3rd Budapest Big Band Festival in Budapest in 2003 and then also in 2004 - as the very best band of the competition.
The Orchestra's first CD is to be released by the time of the Festival.