PROJECTS — Ioannis Vafeas

JAZZ MEETS THE CYPRUS TRADITION

A journey from traditional Cypriot sounds to the traditional sounds of America.

The entire performance will entail a significant collaboration of improvisational music which consists of artists who have the skill of creating and performing, not only to traditional sounds and approaches, but also to the sounds of jazz.

More specifically, two bands will simultaneously be meeting on stage. The first band will be the well-known Trio Levantein collaboration with the native Greek, Ilias Mantikos, playing the canon and the second band being the Ioannis Vafeas Quintet, which comprises Cypriot artists of the new and older generations of jazz music. Their purpose will be to unify the two types of schools of music on stage, their common factor being the improvisational skills of the musical artists.

Creative mindset: The performance will commence with traditional Cypriot sounds coming from the unique extemporization of Trio Levante alongside the authenticity and honesty with which they approach their music and their audience.

Each musician will gradually be replaced with one of the musicians of the second band on stage as the music progresses. For instance, as the lute will be retreating from its position, the bass will begin to take its place. Likewise, while the violin will be withdrawing, it will eventually be replaced by the saxophone and trombone. The common factor of the two bands will be the acoustic bass, which will tie the two musical ensembles. The reverse will also occur where a classic jazz piece will eventually find its way into the hands of the traditional Cypriot musicians once it has undergone the improvisational skills and interventions of each of the musicians.

The musical performance will culminate with an impressive and festive finale of a rich and mellifluous musical encounter with all the musical artists on stage.

This will be a show of which the audience will have rarely had the chance to have experienced and be offered the opportunity to simultaneously comprehend the evolution of jazz through time and the way in which each culture often gives it another tone and character.

IOANNIS VAFEAS QUINTET:

1. CHRISTOS GEROLATSITIS (piano)

2. MICHALIS MESSIOS (bass)

3. IACOVOS PARPAS (saxophone)

4. MICHALIS MICHAEL (trumpet)

5. IOANNIS VAFEAS (drums)

TRIO LEVANTE

Special Guest :ILIAS MANTIKOS (canon)

Arrangements: Michalis Messios

Artistic direction: Ioannis Vafeas

the CYPRUS WEEKLY 15/05/19

https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/05/15/jazz-meets-cypriot-tradition/

A journey from traditional Cypriot sounds to those of America is planned for Wednesday at Rialto Theatre. Entitled Jazz meets Cypriot tradition, two bands will meet on stage.

The first will be the well-known Trio Levante in collaboration with the native Greek, Ilias Mantikos, playing the Qanun and the second the Ioannis Vafeas Quintet, which comprises Cypriot artists of the new and older generations of jazz music. Their purpose will be to unify the two schools of music on stage, their common factor being the improvisational skills of the musical artists.

The evening will commence with traditional Cypriot sounds coming from the unique extemporisation of Trio Levante alongside the authenticity and honesty with which they approach their music and their audience. The musical performance will culminate with an impressive and festive finale of a rich musical encounter with all the musical artists on stage. The common factor of the two bands will be the acoustic bass, which will tie the two musical ensembles together.

“This will be a show of which the audience will have rarely had the chance to have experienced and be offered the opportunity to simultaneously comprehend the evolution of jazz through time and the way in which each culture often gives it another tone and character,” say the organisers.

Jazz Meets the Cyprus Tradition
A series of authentic improvisations, traditional sounds from Cyprus are interlaced with jazz music by Trio Levante, Elias Mantikos and Ioannis Vafeas Quintet. Part of the Rialto 20-year anniversary. May 15. Rialto Theatre, Limassol. 8.30pm. €15/10. Tel: 7777-7745