GEORGE KONTRAFOURIS ( GREEK PIANIST, COMPOSER, EDUCATOR)
Ο Γιώργος Κοντραφούρης είναι Έλληνας πιανίστας, οργανίστας, συνθέτης και ακαδημαικός. Σπούδασε κλασικό πιάνο στο Εθνικό Ωδείο και στην εφηβική του ηλικία έκανε μαθήματα τζαζ αυτοσχεδιασμού με τον Μάρκο Αλεξίου. Επίσης, παρακολούθησε μαθήματα με τους Jim Beard και Jarmo Savolainen.
Αποφοίτησε με Bachelor’s και Master’s degree in Jazz Performance από την Ακαδημία Sibelius στη Φινλανδία. Έχει συνεργαστεί, ως πιανίστας ή οργανίστας, με πολύ σημαντικούς μουσικούς της παγκόσμιας σκηνής και έχει συμμετάσχει σε μεγάλα φεστιβάλ και jazz clubs στην Ευρώπη , Αγγλία, Ινδονησία και Αμερική.
Διδάσκει τζαζ πιάνο και όργανο στο Ιόνιο Πανεπιστήμιο και είναι συνεργάτης της Ακαδημίας Sibelius της Φινλανδίας. Έχει δώσει σεμινάρια σε διάφορες σχολές στην Ελλάδα, την Ιρλανδία, την Ινδονησία, Ελλάδα, Κύπρο και Εσθονία. Ο Γιώργος Κοντραφούρης είναι επίσης ένας ιδιαίτερος συνθέτης και ενορχηστρωτής. Μετρά σήμερα πολυάριθμα προσωπικά άλμπουμ ως leader και sideman.
Το όνομά του είναι συνώνυμο με την τζαζ μουσική στην Ελλάδα και κοντά του έχουν μαθητεύσει μερικοί από τους καλύτερους νεότερους μουσικούς της χώρας. Η συνεργασία μαζί του ήταν για ολους μας στην AVJ Music τουλάχιστο τιμητική.
Δισκογραφία (ως leader)
London 3, (George Kontrafouris organ, Jim Mullen guitar, Billy Pod drums, AVJ Productions, 2022.
Little
Daddy’s Blues, (Chicken Coup Records, 2007) with George Kontrafouris: hammond organ; Manuel Dunkel: tenor sax; Sami Linna: guitar; Jussi Lehtonen: Drums
My only way, (Europe Records, 2002), solo piano.
Too Close, (Legend, 2000), George Kontrafouris: piano; featuring Ralph Peterson Jr. on drums; John Papatriantafillou: bass;
Don’t Be shy, (Lyra, 1997) George Kontrafouris: piano; John Papatriantafillou: bass; Christos Andrianos: drums.
Δισκογραφία (ως sideman)
Manuel Dunkel, Darn that Dream, (KS Jazz Records, 2007)
Dalindeo, Open Scenes, (Ricky-Tick Records, 2007)
Eero Koivistoinen Music Society, (Wolfgang Records, 2006)
Dimos Dimitriadis, The Game, (A&N Records, 2006)
Mandy Gaines & the Wade Mikkola Quintet, Taking a Chance, (AMK, 2006)
Timo Lassy Quartet, (Ricky-Tick Records, 2005)
Ionian Jazz Ensemble, Ionian University, (JAZZ & ΤΖΑΖ magazine, issue 120, March 2003)
Lydia Fylipovic, Nekada (2002)
Dimitris Vasilakis, Labyrinth, (Candid, 2001)
Sofia Noiti, Agios Hronos, (Legend, 2000)
Benny Golson, The Athens Sessions, (Legend 2000)
Giorgos Polichronakos, Blink, (Legend, 2000)
Stratos Vougas, A tribute to Hank Mobley, (Legend, 1999)
Balkan Voices, (FM Records, 1999)
Dimitris Vasilakis, Secret Path,
Marios Toumbas is one of the most precious collaborators of our Organization. Further to his outstanding performing skills he has his own unique way to lead and guide our bands as well as be a team member when needed. His multiskilled personality is an asset to us for having him with us!
MARIOS TOUMBAS (Pianist, Educator)
Berklee College of music
Jazz pianist Marios Toumbas has a Bachelor of Music, Cum Laude, in Music Synthesis (Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA) and a Master of Music with Honors in Jazz Studies (New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA). He was a student of internationally renowned jazz educator Charlie Banacos and famous jazz pianist Danilo Perez.
He has performed all over the world with famous jazz musicians such as, electric bassist Anthony Jackson (creator of the 6-string el. Bass), saxophonist Tony Lakatos and guitarists Jeff Richman and Brett Garsed. He has also performed at International Jazz festivals such as, the Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada, the Krakow Jazz Festival in Poland and the Blues North City Festival in Serbia, the Dusseldorf Jazz Rally and concerts in Berlin and Cologne Germany. Concerts venues include the Royal Festival Hall in London and Sun City Music Hall in Johannesburg South Africa.
He has been an instructor and lecturer of Jazz music at European University Cyprus since 2009. He is also a teacher of the international association Jazz Education Abroad which teaches Jazz all over the world.
GEORGIOS TSOLIS (Pianist, Composer,Orchestrator, Educator)
Short Bio:
Georgios Tsolis is an amazing Greek pianist and composer. He did his bachelor and masters degree in jazz piano performance at the Royal Conservatory of the Hague in Netherlands where he had been living and working for the last years. He counts numerous collaborations with international jazz artists and had been, as a leader, on the stage of many profound festivals in the world. His four personal albums gained some really fine reviews from all over the world.
His diverse musical background from classical, to traditional Greek music, from, Latin to free improvisation, alongside his deep knowledge of the tradition of jazz and influences from masters like Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock can be met in his music.
Recently, Tsolis was given the honorable title of the Cultural Ambassador of Greece by the Hellenic Institute of Culture in the USA.
We’ll have many news for G.Tsolis very soon since he is currently in the studio, recording a new album with his international quartet.
Below are some photo shoots by photographer Mavros Michalis during the quartet’s participation at the 11th Syros Jazz Festival in Greece.
With great respect to the jazz tradition Georgios is creating the sound of jazz in our century!
