In 1980 he participated in the historic recording of Manos Hadjidakis’(composer of the Oscar- winning score for the famous film “Never on Sunday”) “Lilipoupolis”, and since then has taken part in numerous recordings by other composers, totaling over 700 albums.
He formed the group ISKRA, which was to become the first jazz-fusion group in the country, and he participated in the EUROJAZZ orchestra as the only Greek representative, touring all of Europe. He has 7 CDs as a leader (A New day, Parastasis, Horizon, Amorosa, Stand Art, Echoes and Domino), with the contributions of many Greek and foreign musicians, including Dave Weckl, Mike Stern, Wallace Roney, Lenny White, Brett Garsed, Bob Franceschini and many others.
He has given many concerts playing his own music and conducting some of the biggest Greek Orchestras (Radio-Television Orchestra, Greek Radio Big Band, National Orchestra of Greek Music as well as many international ensembles and orchestras) at the “Athens Concert Hall-Megaron” , Lycabettus Theatre, Herodion and the “Pallas Concert Hall”.
In addition to composing and performing music for movies and theatre, Yiorgos founded the “Art Music School Y.V. Fakanas”
where he is supervisor and Artistic Director of the Contemporary Music Department. He has continually taught the electric bass and contemporary theory, and over 600 bass players have studied with him, some of whom have gone on to become outstanding professional musicians. As an author, he has no less than 17 books on electric bass performance and music theory to his credit, which are taught in all Greek conservatories and many abroad.
He also founded ATHINA LIVE, a club situated in the Art Music School, where he organizes concerts that have featured many well known, world-class musicians.
All these artists undertake seminars and private lessons for the students of the Art Music School, establishing it as a true centre for contemporary music studies in Europe.
Today Yiorgos Fakanas’ own ensemble gives many concerts, and collaborates with the likes of Mike Stern, Frank Gambale, Anthony Jackson, Dave Weckl, Alex Acuna, Bireli Lagrene, Dennis Chambers, Horacio El Negro, Greg Howe, Eric Marienthal, Brett Garsed, Otmaro Ruiz, Barry Finerty, Tony Lakatos, Scott Kinsey, Jeff Richman, Bob Franceschini and many more.
Yiorgos is also the publisher of the magazine JAZZ FUSION MOOD, which presents a modern vision for creative music in Greece.
“INTERSPIRIT” , his most recent cd, contains music specially composed for Anthony Jackson. He is already recording two new CDs: “MAESTRO”, dedicated to the immortal Greek conductor Dimitri Mitropolous, featuring Alex Acuna and Bireli Lagrene, and “ ACROBAT”, featuring Dennis Chambers.
More about Yiorgos Fakanas http://www.jazzonline.gr/en/musicians/itemlist/tag/Yiorgos%20Fakanas.html