Biography
Born on 8 May 1948 in Budapest, Hungary, and passing away on 3 February 2008 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Orszaczky began with rigorous classical instruction on piano and violin. Rock and jazz fusion ultimately drew him away from those roots. Taking up bass, he launched Syrius, which toured Australia in the early 70s; he moved there permanently in 1974. Leading Marcia Hines’ backing band in the late 70s brought him notice, and he also collaborated with Tim Finn, Renée Geyer, Grinspoon and the Whitlams along with numerous other pop acts. Over time he assembled several ensembles of his own, among them Godmothers, Grandmasters, Hungarian Rap Sadists, Industrial Accident, Jump Back Jack and Orszaczky Budget Orchestra. Session demands grew steadily; he recorded for countless pop artists while simultaneously arranging and producing their material.
Distinctive tone and phrasing marked both his playing and singing, matched by an unmistakable zeal that proved contagious among fellow musicians. Those who worked with him most often included trombonist James Greening, drummer Hamish Stuart, guitarist Tibor Tátrai and singer Tina Harrod, the last of whom was also his life partner. He continued to visit Hungary regularly, where his popularity never waned, and in 2006 his homeland bestowed the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit for his Contribution To Music And Culture.
Distinctive tone and phrasing marked both his playing and singing, matched by an unmistakable zeal that proved contagious among fellow musicians. Those who worked with him most often included trombonist James Greening, drummer Hamish Stuart, guitarist Tibor Tátrai and singer Tina Harrod, the last of whom was also his life partner. He continued to visit Hungary regularly, where his popularity never waned, and in 2006 his homeland bestowed the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit for his Contribution To Music And Culture.
Albums
