Theodore Koumartzis, a renowned lyre musician and the visionary behind the pioneering Museum of Ancient Music Instruments, Seikilo, situated in Thessaloniki, holds a prominent position in the realm of international music research. Besides being a luthier and an integral part of the music brand, Luthieros, he has collaborated with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Hellenic University of Greece in the construction of various musical instruments. Theodore’s multifaceted musical journey also encompasses the founding of the folk fusion band Reggetiko Project that released three acclaimed albums over the past decade, and entailing performances across international venues in Sicily, Istanbul, Nicosia, Bonn, among others.
Of late, Theodore Koumartzis has ventured into the establishment of world music act Pausis, with the mission of introducing the Ancient Greek lyre as a symbol of human heritage. This ambitious endeavor entails fruitful collaborations with numerous prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Archaeological Museum of Nicosia, the Museum of Byzantine Culture of Thessaloniki, Villa Grecque Kerylos, and the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology Kotsana. The primary objective of these associations is to promote the rich cultural and musical heritage of Ancient Greece. Such notable initiatives have garnered widespread international attention, with media outlets like BBC4, Deutsche Welle, TRT2, and ERT3 offering coverage on related articles.
Throughout his remarkable life, Theodore Koumartzis has had the privilege of collaborating with renowned musicians, such as the Grammy-awarded Bulgarian pianist Milcho Leviev, notably for the album Albatross. Additionally, he has worked alongside Ross Daly in the quest to explore the Ancient Greek kithara.
Discography:
Pausis (Seikilo Ancient World Music, 2023)
Author: Claudia Taylor
