Double Bass
Pannon Portrait
Winner of the 2016 classical music talent show “Virtuózok”, Kökény Tamás is a versatile double bassist whose musical world ranges from classical music and jazz to authentic traditional music, film scores and pop. Throughout his career, he has performed at prestigious venues in Hungary and around the world, including New York’s Carnegie Hall.
Career
Kökény Tamás discovered his passion for music at an early age. At the age of twelve, he became fascinated by the world of the double bass and began studying the instrument alongside the violin. It soon became clear to him that the double bass was where he truly felt at home musically, and he ultimately devoted himself fully to the instrument. The response he received from audiences during his first stage appearances had a lasting influence on the course of his artistic career.
His musical interests are remarkably diverse. In addition to the classical repertoire, he enjoys performing jazz, film music, authentic traditional music and pop arrangements. This openness to different genres, together with his continuous exploration of the expressive possibilities of the double bass, has become a defining feature of his artistry.
Kökény Tamás gained national recognition in 2016 when he won the classical music television talent show “Virtuózok”. His victory was followed by numerous performances in Hungary and abroad. He has appeared at New York’s Carnegie Hall, where his performance was greeted with a standing ovation, as well as in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Diego. In Europe, he has performed in cities including Brussels, Paris and Ravenna, and has also taken part in a multi-concert tour of Transylvania.
In Hungary, audiences have heard him at many of the country’s most prestigious venues, including the Kodály Centre in Pécs, the Kölcsey Centre in Debrecen, the Liszt Academy of Music and Müpa Budapest, as well as the Papp László Budapest Sport Arena.
More information about Kökény Tamás, his artistic career and his concerts can be found on his official website at www.kokenytamas.com.
With the Pannon Orchestra
Through his double bass playing, Kökény Tamás represents the young generation of artists within the Pannon Cigányzenekar, enriching the ensemble with his musical versatility and extensive international concert experience.
Awards and Honours
2016 – Winner of the classical music talent show “Virtuózok”
Something Few People Know About Me
Until the age of twelve, the violin also played an important role in my musical education. That was when I truly discovered the world of the double bass, and I soon realised that this was the instrument on which I had found my musical home.