When Special EFX’s Return to Budapest with Love was reissued digitally in 2024, George Harris of Jazz Weekly described it as “an upbeat collection of how the band could mix jazz with flamenco ideas.” The band at that time included guitarist Chieli Minucci, percussionist George Jinda, keyboardist Bela Szakcsi Lakatos, drummer Lionel Cordew, and bassist Gerald Veasely playing at concerts in 1990 and 1992.
The reissued album is dedicated to the memory of Jinda and Lakatos, both of whom passed away in 2022. On Saturday, October 11, Minucci (photo above) will bring the current version of Special EFX to the Morris Museum’s Bickford Theater in a concert co-sponsored with WBGO Radio. The other members are: keyboardist Lao Tizer, bassist Dave Livolsi, and drummer Joel Rosenblatt.
Minucci founded the original Special EFX in 1982 as a duo with Jinda. The group often featured guest artists such as keyboardists Dave Grusin and McCoy Tyner. In a review of its 1990 GRP album, Just Like Magic, Tim Griggs of AllMusic described the musicianship as “impeccable.” In addition to leading several versions of Special EFX, Minucci has accompanied such vocalists as Celene Dion, Lionel Richie, and Jewel. He won three Emmy Awards for music he composed for the NBC daytime drama, Guiding Light.
In 2025, Tizer released a self-produced album, Amplify, featuring American Idol finalist Elliott Yamin on vocals. Livolsi has worked with artists such as guitarist John Scofield, saxophonist Bill Evans, and vocalist Roberta Flack. Rosenblatt has performed with Spyro Gyra and guitarists Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton, among others.
The Morris Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ. For more information or to order tickets, log onto morrismuseum.org or call (973) 971-3700.