MINDTHEGAP Trio is a Romanian experimental jazz band, born solely out of a long-standing passion for music and jazz. Drawing from a wide range of influences, their unique style is defined by a complex melodic sound with touches of film music, nu jazz, fusion and progressive rock.

A lifetime passion for music drove founder and composer Ștefan Ormenișan to form this young and fervent group, combining jazz and rock influences to create an immersive, atmospheric cinematic sound.

Ștefan is an award-winning Romanian creative who always longed to play in a jazz band and give life to his music. As a great enthusiast of jazz and rock music since early life, he never stopped being surrounded by music, even if his successful career took him into a different space of art.

Being his main source of inspiration and breathing jazz daily, Ștefan decided to create his first trio, trying to express his feelings and musical beliefs. That’s how MINDTHEGAP Trio started, by inviting two professional musicians, Alex Cioată (bass) and Tamas Iszlai (drums) to join this new musical project.

Since their formation, MINDTHEGAP Trio has quickly gained recognition, performing at prestigious events like Gărâna Jazz Festival, Electric Castle, DWMT Sessions, Jazzup Nobile and even within the historic walls of the Fortified Church in Biertan. Their music is a bold expression of genre fusion and pure passion, offering listeners an immersive experience that transcends boundaries.

Formed by musicians with bold and unique perspectives, MINDTHEGAP Trio is constantly exploring new sonic landscapes. Their compositions are created with a focus on profound symbol and dynamic interplay, allowing them to push boundaries and create an ever-changing musical experience. Whether performing on stage or in the studio, the trio's ability to mix different sounds together results in immersive performances that are both unexpected and captivating.

Influenced by global sounds, early electronic music, and the distinctive melodicity of the Scandinavian jazz, MINDTHEGAP Trio brings a unique eclectic, atmospheric sound that reflects their passion for bold musical expression like no other.

MINDTHEGAP Trio - Music made in Transylvania.

Ștefan ORMENIȘAN - piano, keyboards / Alex CIOATĂ - bass / Tamas ISZLAI - drums.

Stefan fell in love with the piano when he was about 6 years old, starting to take piano lessons at the local art school. Being always in love with rock and jazz music, he created his first band when he was 16, with some friends.

Later on, he started to play on lead guitar for a couple of years in different local bands, but then he stopped playing music for a long time, dedicating his time entirely to his international acclaimed design business.

In 2021, he decided that time has come to embrace his first passion and he founded a band with two of his colleagues.

He started exploring sampling and different vintage and modern synths that create the cinematic music of MINDTHEGAP Trio.

Alex is a young local musician and currently a violinist of the State Philharmonic in Târgu Mureș, Transylvania.

His passion for music and its multiple genres has led him towards the electric guitar, performing numerous concerts with rock bands and symphony orchestras in the country, but also towards the bass guitar, with which he experiments new expressive territories for MINDTHEGAP Trio.

When not in the rehearsal room or on stage, Alex writes scores or records various instruments in the studio.

Tamas is a Transylvanian drummer and percussionist with 15 years of experience in live and studio.

He started playing on drums at the age of 7 and then a couple of years later he started to take drum lessons at the local art school.

Over the years, he worked his skills touring around the world as a cruise ship drummer.

He works with many musicians and bands from Romania and Hungary, activating especially in rock and jazz as a session drummer.