10 bands will present their new work within the framework of this year Cyprus Jazz & World Music Showcase which is organised by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth and the Rialto Theatre. 8 bands will be presented at the Rialto Theatre and 2 will be presented at the upgraded and landscaped space of ArtStudio55 (next to the RIALTO).
Band lineup @Rialto Theatre, Friday 26/11 at 19:30
The French Experience
The French Experience will perform music from their latest album Treat Beats. The French Experience is a synthesizer and drums duet whose music is mainly improvised on the spot, having a strong influence from cinematic music to ambient, jazz and hip-hop.
Marios Takoushis: Synthesizer, Stelios Xydias: Drums
Social Plexus
Social Plexus is the new project of guitarist and composer George Bizios that focuses on the duality that occurs from the main parameters that his music consists of, such as individuality compared to collectiveness and the relation of freedom and responsibility within a contemporary music ensemble.
Their music is based on original compositions that use both conventional and unconventional methods of notation. This includes scores that can be based on visual symbols, shapes or words aiming to create an environment that exposes the performers to the diversity of improvisation and triggers their imagination beyond the traditional parameters of music making.
George Bizios: Electric guitar / Compositions, Elias Ioannou: Trumpet, Omiros Miltiadous: Drums
Ermis Michail – Electric World
Combining traditional melodies from the heritage of Cyprus and the neighbouring areas with elements of western harmony and modern textures of our time, the music of Ermis Michail brings out a fresh and unique approach on some of the most familiar Mediterranean themes. Electric World brings together some of the most active musicians of the island with different musical backgrounds, each one bringing a unique voice into the project. Through original arrangements, each musician has the freedom, through improvisation and interaction, to add their own viewpoint of the music performed, thus making each concert an unrepeatable experience, while also respecting the tradition with a forward-looking view.
Ermis Michail: Electric Guitar / Compositions, Vasiliki Anastasiou: Vocals, Charis Ioannou: Saxophone
Marios Charalambous: Saxophone, Elias Ioannou: Trumpet, Andreas Rodosthenous: Electric Bass
Omiros Miltiadous: Drums
Macumba
Macumba will present an explosive repertoire of their latest original compositions inspired by Latin, jazz and world music. Their style is mostly a fusion of traditional Cuban, Brazilian and Spanish music under the modern Jazz umbrella based on the cultural background of each band member. Approaching the Latin music genre in a diversified way, their music is also a fusion of Brazilian funk, samba, rhumba, guaguancó and afro-cuban music. The band stands out for its intense stage presence and the direct and vibrant way in which they communicate with the audience. Specifically, in addition to the live concerts they deliver, which are full of rhythm, freshness and improvisation, Macumba aims at involving the audience in the music during their performance. “Listeners are not only spectators: they take part in the performance, acquiring a central role in the whole music experience”.
Rodos Panayiotou: Drums / Percussions, Rodrigo Caceres: Electric Bass, Giorgos Morfitis: Keys
Elias Ioannou: Trumpet, Giorgos Koulas: Percussions, Antreas Theocharous: Trombone
Giannis Koudounas: Trumpet, Christos Zenios: Saxophone
Band lineup @Rialto Theatre, Saturday 27/11 at 19:30
Trio Rondine
The group will present a collection of songs from the shores of the Mediterranean, as well as their own compositions for a combination voices, mandolin, guitar and accordion. Trio Rondine is a new band that was formed only this year. Amidst the pandemic and its severe limitations for artistic expression, three established musicians joined forces to paint the musical landscapes of the Mediterranean region. Like swallow birds, Trio Rondine explores the corners of the world, starting from Greece and flying off to the distant shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Each stop is a song from a different tradition these migratory birds visit and, as their long journey continues, tradition meets contemporary songwriting and music for film, leading them back to their homeland with a selection of songs that they whisper to their little ones. Trio Rondine's repertoire includes traditional and modern songs from Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Corsica, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Croatia, France, Spain, Morocco, Libya and Egypt, along with well-known soundtracks from classic films. Their voices are accompanied by a mandolin, a guitar and an accordion.
Pavlina Konstantopoulou: Guitar / Voice, Andreas Papapetrou: Accordion / Piano / Voice
Maria Zannetou: Mandolin
Odysseas Toumazou Trio
The group will present music from their album titled ENSTICTO. “Ensticto” is the Greek word for instinct, an innate ability to respond to the given moment. It is an inner voice that serves as a guide to what comes naturally and what belongs to each of us individually. To be instinctive musically is to truly listen to what is going on around you and to be able to adapt to each situation respectively. Although these compositions are written, they are never played the same twice, which is itself the essence of acting upon instinct. To be able to express oneself musically according to what one feels in that particular moment. These compositions represent the process of finding what belongs to me personally, of following my instinct.
Odysseas Toumazou: Guitar, George Koulas: Drums, Andreas Rodosthenous: Electric Bass
Alexis Kasinos Quartet Featuring Marios Charalambous
The quartet will present new original compositions that were written after the release of the band's first album. This new material is going to be recorded for a next album. Marios Charalambous will appear as a guest musician with Alexis Kasinos Quartet. Alexis Kasinos Quartet consists of young musicians whose common target is creativity and the expression of their personal musical identity through the compositions of the band. The pieces are written by the band leader Alexis Kasinos, and primarily draw inspiration from the modern jazz genre. The first album of the band titled Right Place, Right Time was released in 2019 and, since then, the Quartet has performed in festivals and venues all over Cyprus.
Alexis Kasinos: Guitar, Andreas Panteli: Piano, Cahit Kutrafali: Electric Bass
Stelios Xydias: Drums, Guest musician - Marios Charalambous: Tenor Saxophon
Eleonora Roussou – Hará
The music of “Hará” is inspired by world music: latin, jazz, pop, classical, Eastern Mediterranean, flamenco, soul. It conveys various emotional experiences that are the product of human relationships. Hará (joy) is here to remind us of the carelessness and simplicity in which music manages to transfer us from one feeling to another. The band members are musicians with diverse backgrounds and influences, although their studies in jazz music in the Netherlands constitute their common ground, as well as their love for fusion. The compositions of Eleonora Roussou are the immediate product of her experiences. They primarily explore the shape and unpredictability of emotions, drawing influences from a large palette of music genres, and focusing on the element of improvisation.
Eleonora Roussou: Flute / Vox / Piano, Elias Ioannou: Trumpet
Giannis Koutis: Oud / Mandolin / Guitar, Christos Yerolatsitis: Piano / Melodica
Odysseas Toumazou: Guitar, Andreas Rodosthenous: Bass, Stelios Xydias: Drums
Side Events @Art studio 55, at 22:00
26/11 - Nastazio Goumas Trio
Nastazio Goumas Trio was established in 2018. Two years later, a new bassist was added to the band, Dimitris Papanikolaou, who has been an active member of the trio ever since. Their music has strong influences of jazz, fusion, Latin and ethnic and, to this date, the band has released five albums.
Nastazio Gkoumas: Guitar, Dimitris Papanikolaou: Bass, Rafael Kyriakides: Drums
27/11 - Trio Frisson
Trio Frisson will be performing original compositions from their catalogue, including a number of new songs. The songwriting and performance of Jamie Paul (keys and vocals) demonstrates an evolved approach to his craft, combining influences of soul, funk, hip hop and jazz into a unique blend. Byron Athinodorou (6-string bass & backing vocal) will combine, in his basslines and harmonies, special effects with raw musical talent and years of experience, while Alexander Papadopoulos (drums) will lock down the beat with skillful flair and decorations, driving the groove. Trio Frisson are a small band with a big sound. From their laid-back piano-led serenades to the universe, to funked up ‘head-nodding’ tracks with catchy hooks, the Trio will once again offer a showcase of their new flavours that have made them a popular ensemble across Cyprus.
Jamie Paul: Vocals / Piano, Byron Athinodorou: Bass / B’ Vocals, Alexander Papadopoulos: Drums
Organisers: Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports & Youth and the Rialto Theatre
Media Sponsors: Astra 92.8, Cybc
Technical Support: Eventpro
Supported by: Organisation for European Programmes and Cultural Relations, Co- Funded by the European Union, Art Studio 55, Pegasus Art Foundation, Lemesos Newspaper, Lemesos Blog, Vestnik Kipra, Limassol Tourism Board, Social et. al. Limassol Today.
Tickets: €10 / 8 (€15 for 2 days) Box-office: 77 77 77 45
Information: www.cyprusjazzworldmusicshowcase.com, www.rialto.com.cy
Facebook page: Cyprus Jazz & World Music Showcase
Instagram: cyjazzandworldmusicshowcase
