Thanasis Polykandriotis, Greece’s living bouzouki legend, will be performing in AKTINA’s popular concert series “Greek Music Journey” at The Kay Playhouse at Hunter College in New York on May 17.
The bouzouki virtuoso is not only known for his playing but for his compositions as well, as he has written many laika songs which have become classics. Polykandriotis represented this essential part of Greek culture when he played in the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.
In the one-of-a-kind concert for AKTINA’s “Greek Music Journey” series, Polykandriotis will be accompanied by two talented singers, Aris Kampanos and Afroditi Chatzimina. Nikos Stratigos will accompany him on keyboards, Nikos Kainourgios will be playing acoustic guitar and Nikos Ntarilas will feature on drums and percussion.
Polykandriotis and the distinguished singers and musicians alongside him will perform unforgettable laika songs, while the bouzouki master will also play solos and instrumentals.
The bouzouki legend has collaborated with Greek music legends Mikis Theodorakis, Stavros Xarhakos, Vassilis Tsitsanis, Apostolos Kaldaras, and others during his illustrious career. He also had many recordings with popular singers such as Tolis Voskopoulos, Marinella and Stratos Dionysiou.
Polykandriotis has played at several international music festivals and has also collaborated with symphonic orchestras. He was the recipient of the 2008 Annual International Award of National Music, called “Maestro International,” which is awarded annually to a soloist from the Balkans.
The Greek legend is a professor of folk music and currently he serves as the head of the Department of Folk Music — Bouzouki and Related Folk Music Instruments, at the Athens Conservatory of Music (Athens Odeon).
He also lends his expertise to his own music group “Mediterranean Research Center of Culture – OI EPOMENOI,” which he founded in 2003. The group is comprised of over 400 young students, most of whom play the bouzouki. Furthermore, he has written several music books.
Polykandriotis will be honored during the concert with the “AKTINA Distinguished Artist Award” in recognition of his immense contributions to Greek music, and for his participation in Greek Music Journey 2019. The award is given to Greek artists who excel in the preservation and promotion of the musical inheritance of Greece.
Council Member Costa Constantinides will also honor Polykandriotis with an official proclamation on behalf of the New York City Council and the City of New York.
The concert will be given to benefit the public service media of AKTINA FM, which broadcasts daily from New York City.
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