Return to Budapest

Return to Budapest with Love – Special EFX

While still only a few years old as a band, Special EFX (Chieli Minucci & George Jinda) performed at the famous Petofi Csarnok in Budapest, Hungary on 2 occasions in the early 1990s.  Originally recorded to analogue tape, the recordings on this CD were compiled from both of those events, now transferred to digital compact disc. Being a native Hungarian, these were especially significant concerts for George Jinda, as well as his frequent writing partner, the legendary Bela “Szakcsi” Lakatos.  Actually, this was Szakcsi’s first time performing with the band on stage. In the spirit of Special EFX’s artistic direction, much of the music here was improvised, particularly the duet pieces between Chieli & George. The audience turn out and reception were more than the band could have hoped for.  Sadly both George and Szakcsi are no longer with us, but their memory lives on here, through their music ~

Guitarist, composer, producer, and arranger Chieli Minucci has continued to carry the band’s torch, and is still the longtime leader of the Grammy-nominated jazz-fusion group SPECIAL EFX featuring Chieli Minucci, a major force on the jazz and world music scene for over 40 years. 

Besides writing and performing his own music, Chieli shares his guitar brilliance throughout the entertainment world. He has recorded and performed with many top artists, such as Celine Dion, Lou Reed, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, Mark Anthony, Michael Bolton, Rupert Holmes, Eartha Kitt, Eddie Fisher, Anastasia, as well as contemporary jazz artists Kirk Whalum, Maysa, Jeff Lorber, Norman Brown, Bernie Williams, Marion Meadows, Lao Tizer, Mindi Abair, Rick Braun, Gerald Veasley, Omar Hakim, and many others. Chieli has recently joined with legendary Hungarian rock-jazz artists, Djabe, for their upcoming 2024 European tour. 

Although renowned in the jazz and pop world, Chieli is also a gifted television and film composer. He has won 3 Emmy Awards and been nominated 10 times for his eclectic compositional work. His music can also be heard on the soundtracks of the films No Country for Old Men, Bowfinger, Legally Blonde, Panic, and others. Chieli’s original scoring work can be heard in live stage productions of Peter Pan, Dora the Explorer, Thomas the Tank Engine, and others.  

Musicians:

Chieli Minucci – electric & acoustic guitars
George Jinda – percussion, African talking drum, shakers, caxixi, tuned temple blocks, energy chime, crotales
Béla Szakcsi Lakatos – acoustic grand piano, keyboards
Lionel Cordew – drums
Gerald Veasley – bass