Live Jazz events & concerts in Greece

Greek oudist, pianist and composer Alekos Vretos has been merging jazz, Arabic, Greek and Latin music in a masterful blend of sounds from traditional instruments, such as the oud or the nay, vs. the modern ones. As a bandleader, Alekos has developed a uniq ue atmosphere for his music: keeping traditional sound in the front line, he expands it through jazz improvisation and exploding rhythmic development. “Mergin’”, his first personal album released in 2009 — following ‘Yunan’ with The Meliti Ensemble in 200 4 — was welcomed by audience and critics. A bold and tasteful blend of Jazz and Arabic improvisation, “Mergin’” takes oud playing to uncharted territories. A heavy jazz taste and a fine traditional Arabic scent emerges from the stimulating matching with musicians such as Bassam Saba and Takis Paterelis on this live — like recorded album. “Mergin’” was launched by Jadeo Music, an indie record and management company Alekos founded in Athens, featuring world, jazz and classical music and fellow artists. He was included in 2013 list of the 100+1 most influential people in the Greek music scene. Some of the venues that Alekos has performed in – with great reviews on his playing and composing – are: The Herodion (GR) , The Athens Concert Hall (GR) , the Berklee Performance Center (USA), Mount Holyoke College (USA), the Tombs of Kings in Palestine, The Argos Ancient Theatre (GR), The Half Note Jazz Club (GR), The Vortex Jazz Club (UK), The 1er Piso Jazz Club (MEX), 2nd Athens World Jazz Music Festival (GR), 1st Medieval Byzantine Festival Of Kastoria (GR). He has collaborated with legendary composer Mikis Theodorakis, as well as Gilad Atzmon, Simon Shaheen, Haig Yazdjian, Theodore Antoniou, The Greek Contemporary Ensemble, The Kamerata (The Orchestra of the Friends of Musi c), the Jazz Upstairs Big Band, Yorgos Fakanas, Dimitris Maragopoulos, The Athens State Orchestra , Lakis Chalkias, Kostas Thomaidis and Takis Paterelis to name a few.


ALEKOS VRETOS INTERVIEW


www.alekosvretos.gr