Jazz with the Petsteppers (Kypria 2008) (Paphos)

Omri Mor - piano
Michael Messios - bass
Charis Ioannou - saxophone
John Vafeas - drums

The Petsteppers is a relatively newly formed band based in Lefkosia, Cyprus. The initial idea for the band which stemmed from its founding members was to become a power trio combining the polyrhythmic sounds of Ioannis Vafeas on drums, the virtuosic capabilities of Michael Messios on bass and the ferocious sound of Charis Ioannou on saxophone. With the addition of Marios Toumbas on keyboards, the band took a whole new form that settled into a fusion of sounds that include straight ahead jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and other complex rhythms from the modern jazz era. The repertoire of the band is mainly original music composed by the players. None the less, the band also performs tunes written by jazz legends such as Michael Brecker, Chick Corea, and Cedar Walton among others. Listening to the band, one can appreciate the fluent and dexterous ways with which Ioannis lays down the groove, and also the clever ideas with which he builds up his solos around complicated tune forms. On the bottom end, Michael holds a solid rhythmic and harmonic ground from which everything else branches off. He has a very unique way of playing his six-string bass and thus enabling him to become an inimitable soloist, handling changes in the music with tremendous ease. Marios, who is a very well respected pianist around Cyprus and Greece, not to mention collaborations with artists from the USA, always finds ways to enrich the music either through his beautiful voicings or through his impressive solos which have a very climactic nature that is always effortless and natural. Last but not least, Charis uses his lyrical sound to clearly articulate the melodies of all the tunes. The motific style he incorporates in his improvisations clearly reflects his jazz background and influences from legendary players. The Petsteppers perform weekly in Lefkosia, on Monday nights at Lotofagoi bar and also appear in other major clubs around the island. The band has recently released its first album.

The event is part of Kypria 2008 Festival