Jackie Orszaczky

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Jackie Orszaczky


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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
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Born = birth date|1948|05|08
Died = death date|2008|02|03
Origin = Budapest, Hungary
Instrument = Bass guitar
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Genre = jazz, blues, R&B, funk
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Years_active = 1968-2008
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URL = [http://www.orszaczky.com/ www.orszaczky.com]
Notable_instruments = piccolo bass

Jackie Orszaczky (8 May 1948 Budapest, Hungary - 3 February 2008, Sydney, Australia) was a Hungarian-Australian musician, arranger, and record producer, (jazz, blues, R&B, funk) playing mainly bass guitar, but also various other instruments [http://www.abc.net.au/dig/stories/s2153627.htm Jazz Icon Jackie Orszaczky Dies] , DIG Radio, 4 February 2008, accessed 10 February 2008] .

Early life

Orszaczky studied classical piano and violin in Budapest.

Work

While in his 20s, Orszaczky was a well known rock guitarist in Hungary.

Orszaczky toured Australia in 1970-71 with the jazz-fusion group Syrius. During the tour the group recorded an album in Melbourne, that was released both in Australia and Hungary.

After returning to Australia in 1974, Orszaczky joining an experimental group Bakery. He then established a career as a leading musician in the front rank of much of the best jazz, soul, funk and rhythm & blues music created in Australia in the 1970s to the 2000s. He also continued to tour in Hungary, and continued to command crowds of 3,000 to 30,000 people at his annual Budapest concerts.

Orszaczky performed with various groups: The Grandmasters, with partner Tina Harrod; Jump Back Jack; the Godmothers; The Orszaczky Budget Orchestra; and, the Jackie Orszaczky Band.

He was musical director and arranger for the Marcia Hines, and wrote arrangements and orchestrations for The Whitlams, You Am I, Hoodoo Gurus, Tim Finn, Savage Garden, Hoodoo Gurus, Grinspoon and Leonardo's Bride [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/02/04/1202090320716.html Music lovers mourn band leader Jackie Orszaczky] , Sydney Morning Herald, 5 February 2008, accessed 10 February 2008] . He also collaborated with Tony Buck, Chris Abrahams, Andrew Robson [ [http://www.jazz.org.au/features/260?regions%5BRegion%5D= Jackie Orszaczky 1948-2008] , Jazz Australia, 4 February 2008, accessed 10 February 2008] .

His last gig was at the Macquarie Hotel in Surry Hills on 24 January 2008, a night the trombonist James Greening described as unbelievable. "Since his illness (cancer) he continued to sing better and better every time I played with him," said Greening, who played with Orszaczky for 25 years. "It was inspiring and really empowering."

'Piccolo' Bass

In the early 1990s, Orszaczky developed the 'piccolo' bass, a high-tuned bass guitar with light gauge bass strings pitched either at D, G, C, F or E, A, D, G. This instrument became his signature in the later years.

Discography

Selected discs:
* 2007 - "Family Lore", Jackie Orszaczky and the Grand Masters
* 2004 - "Shacked Up In Paradise", Tina Harrod, produced by J Orszaczky
* 2001 - "Deserted Downtown"
* 1994 - SYRIUS MOST, "Mult Lesz"
* 1975 - "Morning in Beramiada"
* 1971 - Syrius, "Devil's Masquarade"éééáá

Family

Orszaczky also collaborated musically with his partner, the singer Tina Harrod. They had two daughters.

External links

* [http://www.orszaczky.com Orszaczky's official web site]

References