This music amalgam was Petros first major influence and seed of inspiration to pick up the piano and guitar, and start singing in local choirs at a very early age. A few years later, at 15, he attended a pop music concert where he discovered his soon-to-be favorite electric bassist, Yiotis Kiourtsolgou. It was this experience which would open his world to something new: the bass and jazz. Eagerly, Petros pursued the bass with constant playing and practicing and he also began listening intently to artists like Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Jaco Pastorius.
After finishing high school, he moved to Athens in order to attend the Polytechnic school of the city. It wasn’t long before he realized that the ship engineering course was not as desirable as it seemed so he decided to take exams for the Music department of Athens University. His life would take another positive turn when he was accepted in 2001. During Petros’ time in Athens, he had the chance of playing with some of the finest Greek jazz artists today. Additionally, he took part in various musical projects such as the Athens Big Band and played in many prestigious venues in Greece like Megaron Mousikis Athens, and Megaron Mousikis of Thessalonica.
In 2005 to 2007, Petros Kampanis continued to pursue a formal education in music by joining the double bass department of the Amsterdam Conservatory where he got his BA degree and graduated with distinction.
From there, Petros toured in Europe (Germany, Holland, Luxemburg, Belgium, France, Spain, Monaco, Portugal, Switzerland, Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia) and took part in many major European jazz festivals. During this time, he received many awards and honors in major music competitions most notably the Hoeilaart/Brussels Jazz Competition in 2008, and the YPF International Jazz Concourse and Amersfoort Jazz Competition both in 2007.
In 2008, Klampanis moved to New York City and completed his formal studies at the Aaron Copland School of Music in New York.
Since then, Klampanis has performed alongside some of the city’s renowned jazz musicians, including saxophonist Greg Osby, pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, and drummer Ari Hoenig. In addition to his extensive list of appearances in USA, including the storied venues of Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York and Kennedy Center in Washington DC, he has performed at the internationally acclaimed North Sea Jazz Festival and the Palatia Jazz Festival in Germany
His relationship with Greg Osby led to the release of his début album, Contextual, on the saxophonist’s Inner Circle Music label. The album was praised by acclaimed bassist Arild Andersen as “one of the most exciting projects I have heard from a bass player in years.” Klampanis has received equal praise for his playing and composing. Fellow bassist Drew Gress notes his “aggressive melodicism, beautiful intonation, and uniquely personal string writing.” In 2012, Klampanis was invited by the Liepaja Symphony Orchestra for a series of concerts throughout Latvia. His arrangement of the Greek folk song “Thalassaki” was recently performed by the Greek Public Symphonic Orchestra in Athens, with whom Klampanis performed in 2013. He was recently voted as the “Best Jazz Artist of 2014” by jazzonline crtitic poll and Minor Dispute is in the top 3 Best Jazz album 2015 ( Jazzonline Critic poll 2015)
His first personal album, contextual, featuring Gretchen Parlato, David Berkman, Paul Bollenback and original material for string quartet and solo double bass, was released in April 18, 2011 on Inner Circle Music label.
Point Two is a project of Christos Rafalides and Petros Klampanis, both based in NYC. They play a mix of original compositions, jazz standards and covers that are given an entirely fresh perspective through this unusual instrumentation.(2014).
Minor Dispute – A brand new blend of Jazz, World and Classical music – Jean-Michel Pilc, John Hadfield, Gilad Hekselman, Petros Klampanis.
“Mr. Klampanis thoughtful new album, “Minor Dispute,” incorporates chamber string arrangements and a worldly, streamlined rhythmic pulse” New York Times
Chroma featuring Shai Maestro on piano and John Hadfield on drums
“Is this man the best kept secret in Jazz Music? iBass Magazine – “A formidable player and composer ” Jazztimes
“Petros Klampanis is a musician who has always spoken from the heart.” DownBeat Magazine – “Klampanis is a Bass Ace” Bass Player Magazine
http://www.petrosklampanis.com