The magic of Kristóf Bacsó Triad’s latest album, Let It Go, lies in the multitude of unique melodies, sensitive harmonization, and individual forms, as well as the high level of (ensemble) playing. However, the greatest virtue of the bandleader’s songs is perhaps their accessibility, which they manage to preserve and even bring to the fore despite all musical sophistication.

Kristóf Bacsó is one of the defining figures of Hungarian jazz as a performer, composer and teacher. He plays in countless bands, but as his own child, he only considers the Triad, founded more than ten years ago and currently active with keyboardist Áron Tálas and drummer Márton Juhász. The trio’s music blends elements of jazz and contemporary music with an Eastern European feeling; in addition to carefully composed sections, improvisations also play an important role. Their latest album once again features the bandleader’s songs, whose magic lies in the multitude of unique melodies, sensitive harmonization, and individual forms, as well as the high level of (ensemble) playing. However, their greatest virtue is perhaps the accessibility that they are able to preserve and even bring to the fore despite all musical sophistication. Let It Go not only expresses deeply human feelings and experiences through its central theme – grasped and missed opportunities, taking responsibility for decisions or letting them go, the limits and unlimitedness of freedom that can be experienced in music –, but also gives space to personal statements such as Soulbird, an homage to Mátyás Szandai, who passed away at a tragically young age.

Kristóf Bacsó and BMC Records have been collaborating for almost two decades: Let It Go is the saxophonist-composer’s seventh album released under his own name on the label, and he has also appeared on numerous albums by other bands, including the Modern Art Orchestra and Gábor Gadó’s various lineups. As the leader of Triad, he likes to broaden his musical horizons by inviting guest musicians: in 2016, he teamed up with Beninese guitarist and singer Lionel Loueke to create a fusion of Hungarian-focused contemporary jazz and improvisational music inspired by West African influences (Pannon Blue), and in 2022, he released an album featuring his long-time friend, bassist Daniele Camarda (Imaginary Faces). For Let It Go, he chose an amazingly talented Hungarian colleague, István Tóth, who completes the Triad’s sound with guitar and double bass parts.