Vakia Stavrou "Into the Seas of Songs, a Journey" (Nicosia)

The concert is a part of a musical voyage among various countries and cultures with a common characteristic : the sea. Songs from Brazil, Argentina, Cyprus, Italy, Greece and Portugal, an inspired repertoire, carefully selected from the performer, already presented in concerts in the city of Paris at Theatre de L' Isle St Louis, Theatre de la Vieille Grille and in London, at the Hellenic Centre.

The distinguished greek cypriot singer and songrwriter Vakia Stavrou, accompanied by her trio of excellent cypriot musicians, is guiding the public through a musical voyage, into the songs of Carlos Gardel, Astor Piazzola, Nino Rota , Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vamvakaris, Papaionnou, and so many others, to the beautiful sounds of Fados, Tarantellas, Tangos, Rebetiko, Bossa Nova and performs with brio or great sensitivity the genuine character of the songs mentioned.

Joy and nostalgia, happiness or sadness, love or hate, desillusion or not, but certainly deep and true feelings.. this is the main idea of this repertoire. In two words, a unique blend of different sounds and songs, that time has never touched, still shining through their wonderful and strong melodies, still up to date with their meaningfull lyrics.

Vakia Stavrou, a singer and songwriter, after finishing her studies at the Jazz Studio in Belgium and later on at the Conservatoire of Prague in Czech Republic, where she studied Voice on Jazz and Contemporary repertoires, continuing on the same time her studies on Classical Guitar, she was offeres a contract from SONY BMG Records in Athens and she made her debut in discography by performing two songs on an album called " Helidonia tis Vrohis" ( Sparrows of the Rain) of the composer Giorgos Andreou and the poet Dionisis Karatzas. Vakia was a new voice among the other participants of the album: Marios Frangoulis, Tania Tsanaklidou, Eleni Tsaligopoulou and Dimitris Mbassis.

Following was her first personal EP, with the title " O.H. E" which included also the hit "Sozinha" written by Vakia herself in Portuguese. Meanwhile, she collaborated in various concerts in Greece, Cyprus and France as a soloist, with Fivos Delivorias, Marios Frangoulis and Deborah Myers, Vasilis Lekkas and Francis Lalanne.

Recently, Vakia Stavrou presented a number of concerts of an international repertoire at the Theatre de L'Isle St Louis and the Theatre de La Vieille Grille in Paris as well as at the Hellenic Centre in London, warmly received by both audiences. The Greek culture magazine "Athinorama" described her as "a breath taking voice that moves the audiences at once" and also the greek newspaper "Kathimerini" wrote "a performer with great vocal abilities, with a world music's sound".

Vakia Stavrou is recording now the songs of her new album which will be out very soon, and she will be performing in solo concerts, scheduled already for Paris, London and Lisbon by December 2009.

Vakia Stavrou: Singing / guitar/ research and selection of repertoire
Marios Takoushis: piano, arrangements
Irineos Koulouras: double bass
Giorgos Koulas: drums, rhythmic section

The event is part of the Kypria International Festival 2009.