Robi Botos – From Hungary to Oscar Peterson to Self Made Role Model

On February 26th I went to a “Business Chops For Musicians” seminar held at Jazz FM radio station. The seminar was fantastic. The information came directly from industry professionals like Jae Gold, Rock and Roll accountant and finance wiz, Ken Druker, General Manager at Motéma Music and Erin Kinghorn, director, Eek Productions. Though the info was invaluable, the highlight for me was a Robi Botos interview done by JAZZ.FM91’s Garvia Bailey.

The interview was focused on discussing Robi’s incredible career and how he was able to survive coming to Canada as an immigrant with a family and nothing else, hone his playing, make contacts and navigate the industry to become one of the most sought after pianists in jazz today.
It was one of the most refreshing, down to earth and hilarious interviews I’ve witnessed. Dude is funny. His experiences musically and outside the music is vast and colorful. I find him to be very real and very honest. The stuff that role models are made of.

Botos, was born in Hungary. He started playing drums but switched to piano at an early age. He immigrated to Canada in ’98 with his family and started playing where ever and when ever he had the chance. Before long he was playing with Toronto’s who’s who of jazz. He even met and was mentored by his childhood idol, Oscar Peterson. You can still hear traces of Oscar in Robi’s music and you probably will always hear it. He’s played with artists like Dave Young, Michael Brecker, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Robert Hurst, Pat Labarbera, Molly Johnson, Al Jarreau and many more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7urBrJUXwU

As time went by Robi’s own musical voice began to show. His music is entrenched in jazz but infused with his own cultural background and that of other world music influences. Winner of a Canadian Juno award (Canada’s version of the Grammy) for best jazz album for his 2016 album Moving Forward, there is no limit to where this very talented artists will take his music or where it will take him.