Joel Lyssarides and Georgios Prokopiou – Arcs & Rivers (ACT Music, 2024)
Pianist Joel Lyssarides and bouzouki virtuoso Georgios Prokopiou bridge cultures and genres in Arcs & Rivers, a delightful album that seamlessly combines jazz and Greek musical traditions. Recorded in a single session, the album captures the spontaneity and depth of their improvisations, giving the bouzouki a bold new voice in the jazz idiom.
Lyssarides, whose roots trace back to the Cypriot village of Lefkara, brings a personal connection to the project. His great-grandmother, a renowned lacemaker, and his grandfather, who settled in Sweden in the 1940s, carry a legacy of cultural craftsmanship that parallels the intricate interplay found in this musical collaboration. Despite his Greek heritage, Lyssarides admits limited exposure to authentic Greek music before meeting Prokopiou in 2022. Their initial improvisation session not only inspired much of the album’s material but also marked the beginning of Lyssarides’ deeper exploration of Greek rhythms and phrasing.
Joel Lyssarides said: “Before meeting Georgios I didn’t have much contact with authentic Greek music. I had heard a few famous songs by Theodorakis and Hadjidakis, as well as a bit of rembetiko, the Greek blues, but not much more than that.”
Prokopiou’s mastery of the bouzouki, imbued with unmistakable Greek expression, enriches the compositions with a distinct cultural aspect. Lyssarides contributes exquisite piano performances and credits Prokopiou as both a collaborator and a mentor, shaping his understanding of Greek music and its emotional depth.
This remarkable collaboration brings forth a heartfelt dialog between two distinct traditions, offering listeners a fresh perspective on both jazz and Greek music.
Musicians: Joel Lyssarides on piano; and Georgios Prokopiou on bouzouki.
Produced by Joel Lyssarides, Georgios Prokopiou and Andreas Brandis.
Recorded by Thomas Schöttl at the ACT Gallery in Berlin, Germany, on 29 – 30 April 2024
Mixed and mastered by Klaus Scheuermann.
Photo by Karl Gabor.
Cover art Landschaft 1994 (Detail) by Manfred Bockelmann, Courtesy of collection Prof. Dr. med. Gerd Steinbeck
Track list:
01 Arcs 3:34 Joel Lyssarides, Georgios Prokopiou
02 Anamnesis 4:51 Georgios Prokopiou
03 A Night in Piraeus 3:07 Joel Lyssarides, Georgios Prokopiou
04 Echoes 5:25 Joel Lyssarides
05 Rivers 4:27 Joel Lyssarides, Georgios Prokopiou
06 Lyssarides Lament 2:15 Joel Lyssarides
07 Kamilieriko Road 6:08 Georgios Prokopiou
08 Orange Moon 4:30 Joel Lyssarides
09 From East to West 3:25 Georgios Prokopiou
10 Zafeirious Solo 2:55 Stelios Zafeiriou
Buy Arcs & Rivers.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.