Andreas Polyzogopoulos & Andreas Rodosthenous Trio

Trumpet player Andreas Polyzogopoulos in Cyprus this January for two concerts with the Andreas Rodosthenous Trio.

Andreas Polyzogopoulos, one of the most eminent trumpet players in the Greek jazz music scene, collaborates for the first time with three excellent Cypriot jazz musicians of the new generation – Andreas Rodosthenous (bass), Giorgos Morfitis (piano) and Stelios Xydias (drums). In their two unique concerts in Limassol (17/1) and Nicosia (18/1), the four musicians will perform compositions of the bass player Andreas Rodosthenous, as well as original pieces from Andreas Polyzogopoulos’ personal albums. Their music is formed through the long performance experience and experimentation and the multiple influences of all four musicians.

The Andreas Rodosthenous Trio was formed three years ago by the bassist Andreas Rodosthenous, with Stelios Xydias on the drums and Giorgos Morfitis on the piano. The trio then collaborated with Iakovos Parpas on the Saxophone to present their first concert. Following that, they recorded the first personal works of Andreas titled “Simplicity” (2015) with Alkis Agathokleous on the Ney, who then continued performing with them. The band got invited to prestigious festivals like EUNIC jazz festival in Berlin and Technopolis jazz festival in Athens. The band is now in the process of recording their second cd.

Andreas Polyzogopoulos first got involved in music by studying guitar at the age of ten in Samiko, a small village in South-West Greece where he was born. At sixteen he moves to Athens and starts participating in rock and blues bands but soon he discovers jazz. He studies jazz guitar with Yiotis Samaras at Philipos Nakas Conservatory and in 2000 picks up the trumpet. In October 2002 he moves to the Netherlands and studies at the Conservatorium Van Amsterdam. He also takes lessons from Markus Stockhausen and Angelo Verploegen and follows a workshop with Paolo Fresu in Sardegna. While studying in Amsterdam he plays with various multi-ethnic groups and in 2006 he forms “Poly Quartet”, a group that performs his own compositions. In 2008, the band records the album “Perfumed Dreams” and wins the first place in “Motives for Jazz” competition in Belgium. The same year he graduates from Conservatorium van Amsterdam and returns to Greece. He appears on 45 records, has performed all over Greece and Europe and in 2010 was a member of the European Youth Jazz Orchestra. In 2013 he recorded a Cd with songs of his favourite rock band and all-time inspiration Pink Floyd (Heart of The Sun - The music of Pink Floyd) and toured around Europe and in New York city. Andreas colaborated with Tore Brunborg, Michel Portal, Gunter Baby Zomer, Markus Stockhausen, Tony Lakatos, Psarantonis, Savina Yannatou, Maria Farantouri, Dulce Pontes, Serge Teyssot Gay (Noir Desires), Anne Paceo, Kostas Theodorou, Yiorgos Kontrafouris, Mode Plagal, Nikos Sidirokastritis, Yiotis Kiourtsoglou, David Lynch, Stavros Lantsias, Haig Yazdjan, Vangelis Katsoulis, Takis Barberis, Thanasis Papakonstantinou among others. In 2014 Andreas brings a new band together playing his newest compositions. The record released in 2015 is called “Anicca” and the Mediterranean sound is more present in the sound of the band.

Andreas Polyzogopoulos will first join the Andreas Rodosthenous Trio on Sunday 17 January 2015 in the place opposite the coffeehouse “Sto Dromo” in Limassol (Genethliou Mitella st.), while on Monday 18 January 2015 the will share the stage of Windcraft Music Centre in Nicosia (27 Xanthis Xenierou st.). Both concerts start at 20.30 and entrance costs 10 euro. Reservations at 22-377748. The events launch the activities of the newly established NGO “Windcraft Loud”. More information: www.windcraftmusic.com.

++On Thursday 14/1 at 19.00-21.00 and Saturday 16/1 at 10.00-12.00, Andreas Polyzogopoulos will give a group workshop on music improvisation for wind instruments. Participation in each workshop costs 15 euro (10 euro for Windcraft Loud members). Information and reservations: 22-377748.