The new all-star formation Freedom Band featuring the American jazz pianist Chick Corea is performing in Veszprém. This is the first time they are playing in this line-up in Hungary. The new quartet of the world’s most prolific keyboard virtuoso features such big names as alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett, bassist Christian McBride and the legendary drummer Roy Haynes who  turns 85 this year.  Garret and McBride have both previously played in Chick’s Remembering Bud Powell group and the Five Peace Band. Haynes was also a member of Remembering Bud Powell and played on Chick’s landmark 1968 recording, Now He Sings, Now He Sobs. Corea has received 16 Grammy awards and 50 Grammy nominations so far. He was awarded with the Ruhr Piano Festival Prize in 2005 which was given to a jazz pianist for the first time. Since 2006 he is an NEA Jazz Master which is the most significant honor in the history of American jazz. Five Peace Band Live including Corea on keyboards was named Best Jazz Instrumental Album at the 2010 Grammy Awards.    
                                                   
Kenny Garrett - was born in 1960 in Detroit. His carpenter father played the tenor saxophon as a hobby hence he attracted his son’s attention in the instrument at an early age. Garrett started his career in 1978 with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and also gigged with the Mel Lewis Orchestra and the Dannie Richmond Quartet later on. His debut solo album Introducing Kenny Garrett was recorded in 1984. His most significant recordings include  Pursuance: The Music of John Coltrane (1996) and the Grammy-nominated Songbook (1997). Garret, who is often referred to as Miles Davis’s last saxophonist, played with the legendary trumpet player for five years. His long solos in Human Nature are unforgettable even today. Mostly seen in his African hats, the saxophonist recorded his albums Amandla as well as Miles & Quincy Live At Montreux together with Miles Davis. During his career, the 50-year-old artist always worked and performed in the great company of Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders, Brian Blade, Marcus Miller, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin and Herbie Hancock

Christian McBride is considered one of the most popular bassists today. In addition to commanding the stage with such peers as David Sanborn, Chick Corea, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole or George Benson, McBride has toured and recorded with the likes of Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock and Sting. He is just as skilful in pop, soul and jazz as well as in classical music. He accompanied world-famous opera singer Kathleen Battle several times. He is a virtuoso player on acoustic and electric bass whose striking musicality determines both his style and his technique. His play is pure and incredibly unique. He is regarded as the greatest bassist of his generation.  McBride appeared in Pat Metheny’s and Bruce Hornsby’s trios as well as with Queen Latifah. He has also served as the creative chair of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2006. He joined the jazz fusion band Five Peace Band in 2008 where his fellow musicians included John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Kenny Garrett and Vinnie Colaiuta (who performed on our stage with Herbie Hancock in 2008). 

Roy Haynes – The American jazz drummer is perhaps the most popular drummer of jazz history. He debuted in 1944 at the age of 17 and started his career in 1945. Between 1947-49 he played with saxophonist Lester Young and later he played in Charlie Parker’s quintet for three years. He also toured with Sarah Vaughan between 1953  and 1958. Throughout his 60-year career  he proved his talent in many different genres including swing, bebop, fusion and avant-garde jazz. Haynes has always been faithful to his fellow musicians and can claim the most significant recordings of jazz history. His smashing play and personal style is unique. He claimed residencies with Gary Burton, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Henry Grimes, Christian McBride, Jackie McLean, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Gerry Mulligan, Art Pepper, Sonny Rollins and Horace Tapscott.