Spyros Koliavasilis

Spyros Koliavasilis is a gifted vocalist and multi-instrumentalist performer with an expertise in traditional Greek music, Rebetiko, Smyrneika (music of Asia Minor) and a passion for other genres, such as ethno-jazz and world music. His music blends traditional elements along with timeless improvisations and contemporary sounds that transport you to another time and place. Born in Attiki, Greece, he started his music career playing oboe and bassoon before discovering his love for the Oud, Cappadocian Lyre, and a wide range of other fretted and fretless instruments. He plays more than 18 instruments including Oud, bouzouki, saz, kemane, laouto, lavta, cumbus, mandocello, and his latest self-made hybrid, the laouto-guitar. He is expert in Makam Theory and modular scales and plays music from his areas of expertise, original arrangements, and teaches and performs improvisations of Greek, Mediterranean, and Eastern traditional music, known as Taksimi. His latest project is the Greek Blues. This genre, called Rebetiko, is protected by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage for humanity and Spyros has curated a vast repertoire of Rebetiko songs - delivering a classic Athenian Taverna Style experience with some surprises.