(Musical Director)
“…it was the cimbalom player who took the greatest honors, hammering with demonic speeds…”

Kálmán Balogh is the master of the cimbalom; He traces his descent from a famous dynasty of Hungarian Gypsy musicians. His virtuosity is matched only by his understanding of, and respect for his heritage. A graduate of the prestigious Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, he has toured the world, capturing the hearts of audiences wherever he played.
Balogh spent decades studying the music of the Roma in Europe and Asia. His love, knowledge, and respect for the music of his people is unsurpassed. He has performed and toured extensively with many of the best folk bands and has recorded dozens of albums with them and as a solo artist. He was a featured performer in numerous major European festivals and venues featuring Gypsy music.
This will be his ninth triumphant tour to North America. Audiences may recall his amazing cimbalom virtuosity from the CSÁRDÁS, Tango of the East Tour with the Budapest Ensemble; His extensive touring experience took him all over the USA with the Ökrös and Méta Bands and with his own Cimbalom Jazz-Band.
Balogh has also been a star on the classical concert stage. In North America, for example, he has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, New World Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Austin Symphony and the Bend, Oregon Festival Orchestra. In addition, he also played at many North American festivals, clubs and world music venues.