Gypsy Devils

The Gypsy Devils is the name of a unique group of musicians who have, since 1993, achieved what few from Central Europe have managed - their compositions are listened to all around the world by enthusiastic fans and music critics alike. The virtuoso violin solos of the Primarius Štefan Banyák, the stirring displays by cimbalom magician Ernest Šarközi, the lovely colour tones of his wife Silvia, the clarinet genius of Zoltán Grunza, are a guarantee of musical performances of the highest quality.

Gypsy Devils is not only a new name of a well known group. Gypsy Devils will offer original compositions, daring arrangments, unseen musical combinations and a brand new image. Tradition is joined by musical experiments.

In 2000, the orchestra received 3 Gramy awards from the Slovak music academy. They were designated as the Best orchestra, the Best album and the Best performer.

The repertory of the orchestra is very large and diverse, going from Slovak, Russian, Hungarian, Greek, Gypsy, Jewish or Roman etno music, to jazz standards, passing by operetta and movie musig. All the arrangments are made by three of the membrs of the orchestra - E. Šarközi, E. Hasala, Z.Grunza. Among the new projects are The Gypsy Devils Symphony Session – a combination of gypsy style and full symphony orchestra and the cooperation with the best Slovak DJs, which will result in a unique concert production.

The orchestra performed all over the world - USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, China, Taiwan, Mexico, Spain, Greece, Italy, Swiss, Turkey, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Holand, Belgium, Great britain, Germany and France. Of all the world famous concert houses, let us name a few - Berlin Philharmony, Komische Oper-Berlin, Kozerthaus-Berlin, Royal Opera House-London, Hans Max Saal-Munich, Smetana hall-Prague, Konzert und Kongressaal-Luzern, Concert Hall-Melbourne or Goldener Saal-Musikverein-Wien.

Gypsy Devils cooperates with some of the greatest, orchestras, conductors, singers and instrumentalists of different styles of music - Gypsy Kings (video), Bettina Castaňo-Flamenco group, Paul Gulda & Vienesse String Quartet, Cyprus Symphony Orchestra - Nicosia, Philharmonic Orchestra Bohuslava Martinů- Zlín, Moravská Philharmonic Orchestra - Olomouc, Philharmonic Orchestra - Košice, Symphony Radio Orchestra - Bratislava, A. Podařil, P. Breiner, K. Kevický, L. Bílá, P. Dvorský, D. Hulka, I. Csáková, S. Sklovská, P. Habera, K. Hasprová, ... with whom they participated in many concerts, CD recordings and TV shows.

The Gypsy Devils orchestra is considered by the musical critics as one of the best ethno and world music group in the world and is very much appreciated by the general public as well. The evidence is dozens of thousands CDs sold every year, and achievement of 2 gold and 2 platinum awards.