The second Greek Jazz Panorama retains its outward-looking focus on a Greek cultural good. In the case of music, and of jazz in particular, this means raising international awareness of the many fascinating ensembles exploring the jazz idiom here in Greece.
After the success of last year’s Panorama which brought three Greek groups–Trilogia, Mode Plagal and the Harris Lambrakis Quartet–together in three unique concerts to play alongside important Mediterranean musicians like Gilad Atzmon, Majid Bekkas and Andrea Romani, this year’s event provides an opportunity for the Greek musicians selected to converse with outstanding soloists from Northern Europe and the Scandinavian jazz scene, one of the most innovative in Europe today, in particular.
In the first concert (7 December), Andreas Polyzogopoulos’ Quartet joins forces with the saxophonist Tore Brunborg. The next day, Human Touch engage with the guitarist Teemu Viinikainen, and on the final evening, George Kontrafouris’ Baby Trio welcome the saxophonist Mikko Innanen onto the OCC stage.
EVENTS OF THE CYCLE
Andreas Polyzogopoulos Quartet feat. Tore Brunborg on December 7
Andreas Polyzogopoulos is one of the best young trumpeters on the Greek jazz scene. An extremely mature composer and a formidable improviser despite his tender years, he already has a number of high-level collaborations in Greek jazz projects to his credit. His first solo album, Perfumed Dreams (2008), propelled him into the limelight, and his lyrically powerful playing garnered very positive feedback indeed. His latest work takes the music of Pink Floyd as its starting point.
Tore Brunborg was born in Norway in 1960 and is a key figure on the Scandinavian jazz scene. With a wealth of recordings under his belt as both a leader and a soloist, he has forged a personal style which stands out for its meditative, lyrical qualities. Following on from his collaborations with jazz legends including Masqualero, Rita Marcotulli, Billy Cobham, Lars Danielsson and Kjetil Bjerkestrand, he joins forces with Polyzogopoulos and his quartet in a musical marriage of North and South.
Andreas Polyzogopoulos Quartet: Andreas Polyzogopoulos: trumpet, flugelhorn - Kostis Christodoulou: piano, keyboards - Vassilis Stephanopoulos: double bass - Alexandros Drakos Ktistakis:drums - Guest: Tore Brunborg: saxophone
Human Touch feat. Teemu Viinikainen on December 8
After thirteen years making music together, Human Touch are now one of the best-known combos on the Greek jazz scene. Based on a wide range of rhythms and timbres, their music is communicative and direct, artfully combining contemporary improvisation with elements from the Greek music tradition. Although its members play a number of different instruments each, they are always 100% together as a group.
Finland’s Teemu Viinikainen is considered one of the world’s leading jazz guitarists. Combining the soul of a genuine improviser with the technique of a virtuoso, he made his name internationally playing alongside musicians like Joe Lovano and Randy Brecker. The Teemu Viinikainen Trio has distinguished itself in numerous jazz competitions, and has several noteworthy releases to its name on the Blue Note label. This is his first appearance in Greece.
Human Touch : David Lynch: saxophones, flute, vocals, percussion - Yotis Kiourtsoglou: bass, percussion - Stavros Lantsias: piano, keyboards, percussion, guitar, melodica - Guest: Teemu Viinikainen: guitar
George Kontrafouris' Baby Trio feat. Mikko Innanen on December 9
George Kontrafouris, a leading Greek jazz pianist with an international career, countless collaborations and a number of recordings to his credit, is taking part in the Panorama with his Baby Trio. His choice of the Finnish saxophonist Mikko Innanen should produce an explosive cocktail of groove, free jazz and contemporary improvisation.
Kontrafouris, who studied–and later taught–at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, now teaches Jazz at the Ionian University on Corfu. In 2008, he formed the youthful combo that accompanies him, the Baby Trio, whose members retire from the group when they reach the ripe old age of 25!
Innanen, a fellow graduate of the Sibelius Academy, has played with the cream of Scandinavian jazz and leading musicians from around the world including John Tchicai, Han Bennink, Barry Guy, Hiroshi Minami, Billy Cobham, Marcus Shelby and Dayna Stephens. Equally at home on alto, soprano and baritone sax, his playing stands out for its dynamism and imagination.
Baby Trio: George Kontrafouris: piano, Hammond - Vassilis Podaras: drums - Kostas Stouraitis: guitar - Guest: Mikko Innanen: saxophones