Energetic and honest. Dependable and flexible. Alive and perfectionist. Elegant and colorful.
Seven personalities and one team. We are the Highly Trained Monkeys.

VIKI

„Music is the best remedy for me, in all situations of life.”

My life has been revolving around music since I was a kid. I used to be a classical violin player, performing around Hungary and in the neighbouring countries, yet I was always drawn to singing. University life and life itself has put some distance between music and me, but I soon returned, this time around to jazz and popular music, which ultimately led me to the band. I felt at home since the first moment. Every rehearsal means improvement, every concert is awesome, this is a group of professionals, yet they pour all their heart into music. This is how it’s worthwhile and I’m happy to be a part of it.

MÁTÉ

„There’s only one way to learn how to sing and make music: well. Afterwards, every style offers something fascinating.”

After multiple choirs, an acapella-sextet, musicals, two hard-rock bands, I became the singer, band-leader and technician of the HTM. The vibrant musical flavours so inherent in this band due to the various backgrounds of the members and the colourful setlist we have provides a unique experience for every rehearsal and every performance. Moreover, one can always learn something new from this many excellent people and musicians. It is pure joy to manage this band since 2009, this is why the band is more than a run-of-the-mill gigging band.

ANDRIS

„Many consider them as simple bass notes. For me they are the bridge between rhythm and harmony.”

In these 18 years of playing bass guitar, I had the chance to play in a lot of bands with a multitude of styles. Pop and rock bands, professional party bands or in a theatre orchestra. Among such varied roles, HTM is the solid ground, with its own variety. In the past 6 years HTM has grown into a mature working group and circle of close friends of 7 people with very different way of thinking when it comes to music. These aspects, the social and the professional unity gives the strong foundation upon which the band is able to provide a unique performance.

ROLAND

Before I became a highly trained monkey, I made noise mostly in jazz and funky bands. It is a great pleasure to play along with such a great team and such great musicians. Also, HTM is truly useful for my progress as a musician, as we experiment with a lot of styles, infusing the songs with our own traits, while still trying to recreate the theme of each song, whether they be some rock tracks from the 80’s or contemporary pop.

SZABI

I began learning to play the guitar at the age of 10 in Pécs, and went on to play rock music during my high school years, as usually everyone, I guess. After graduation I started to open up towards jazz and music based on improvisation in general, which brought me to Budapest. Currently I teach guitar in a music school near Budapest and I perform in a number of permanent and temporary bands. In terms of the HTM, I was the last one to join the current line-up. Gyuri (keyboards), who was at the time my classmate in the Premier Music School, asked me to join. Luckily, we have hit it off immediately on the first rehearsal, as if we’d been playing together for years, so it was not a question that I wanted to be a part of this.

GYURI

„The keys are but monochrome, but still my task is to make the sound more colourful with them.”

The skill and attitude required to become the member of the HTM have been provided by ten years of classical piano education and playing in multiple bands with very varied style. What really sets the HTM apart from my previous experiences is not just the “musical humility and respect”, but the friendly synergy of the members. Besides observing the stylistic variety and its connotations of our repertoire, we still try to make the songs of our own and thus giving a truly honest performance.

EDVÁRD

I have been playing the saxophone since 2013, attending the Bartók Conservatory and receiving my degree from the Liszt Academy of Music. My main profile is jazz, but I have a keen interest of popular music, having played with multiple pop, alternative, rock and fusion formations as well.

My story with the HTM Band begun with Roland, our drummer inviting me and with whom we have been playing together in various jazz formations. It has become apparent even at the first rehearsal that this band is much more than your run-of-the-mill gigging band. The repertoire is colourful, the common and individual rehearsal are both enjoyable and the band members are clearly committed to being professional musicians who take a great care in how they make music.
Although we have intense rehearsal periods and we prepare for each event meticulously, I cannot regard playing in the band as work, as it is more of a source of joy for me.