Violin
Pannon Portrait
A primás from a Szeged family of musicians, Bakró József spent fourteen years with the Rajkó Orchestra. Throughout his decades-long career, he has represented the Hungarian Roma musical tradition both on the concert stage and in traditional restaurant music. Today, he is the primás of the Kiskőrössy Halászcsárda in Szeged.
Career
Bakró József was born in Szeged in 1968 into a family of musicians. Music was a natural part of his life from childhood, and at an early age his career became connected with one of the best-known institutions of Hungarian Roma music, the Rajkó Orchestra.
In 1981, at just thirteen years of age, he joined the Rajkó Orchestra, where he spent fourteen years as a primás, or lead violinist. These formative years laid the foundations for his later career: ensemble playing, the distinctive role and responsibility of the primás, and the traditional performance style of Hungarian Roma music all became integral parts of his musical identity.
A new chapter began in 1995, when he became primás at the Töki Csárda in the Zsámbék–Tök area, where he performed for twelve years. He later returned to his native Szeged. Since then, he has been the primás of the renowned Kiskőrössy Halászcsárda, where he continues to perform regularly today.
His career spanning several decades reflects the living continuity of the Hungarian Roma musical tradition, from the concert stages of the Rajkó Orchestra to the intimate world of traditional csárda music. As a member of the Pannon Cigányzenekar, he contributes his extensive experience as a primás and represents a musical tradition passed down through generations.
With the Pannon Orchestra
As a primás of the Pannon Cigányzenekar, Bakró József brings decades of orchestral and performance experience to the ensemble, building on the foundations he acquired at a young age with the Rajkó Orchestra.
Something Few People Know About Me
I joined the Rajkó Orchestra when I was thirteen years old and eventually spent fourteen years there as a primás. I was born in Szeged, and after many years as a musician, music ultimately brought me back to my hometown, where I still perform as a primás today.