Phrygianics

The Spiros Exaras World-Jazz Ensemble is a six piece band which blends jazz with the exotic rhythms, melodies and instruments of Greece. The 'Greek-jazz' band consists of some of the world's renowned musicians such as pianist Hery Hey, bassist Matt Garrison, drummer Gene Lake, percussionist vocalist Arto Tuncboyaciyan and clarinetist Lefteris Bournias. Under the direction of guitarist Spiros Exaras the band has created 'Phrygianics', a rich mixture of syncopated rhythms,jazz melodies and unique arrangements, all come together to make the hypnotic groove of this CD. 'Phrygianics' had been initially released world wide with the legendary Blue Note Records (2003) and got the attention of a lot of radio producers and festivals. 'This album succeds in achieving that special blend from modern to traditional,playful to somber and Eastern to Western,that so many musicians in the past have failed at', as Joshua Kline wrote in his 'Jazz Review' magazine review. Now it has been released with Polyglottal Music. Spiros Exaras has studied clasical guitar and composition at the Athens Conservatory of Athens. He has been playing professionally since his 16th year of age. While in Greece,Spiros was the lead guitarist of the 'National Greek Radio and Television Orchestra' (ERT) and had perfomed several times with the 'Orchestra of Colors'. At the same time he was the guitar choice of acclaimed composers such as Elias Andriopoulos, Evanthia Reboutsika and Kostas Hatzis. He released his first CD in collaboration with Kostas Hatzis entitled 'Kostas Hatzis for clasical guitar' (MBI 1992). Since he relocated to the US, in 1992 Spiros soon became 'the new kid in town', performing in the hottest clubs of New York City and brought a new sound with a compination of clasical, jazz and Greek music. He has worked with some of the world's most pre-eminent musicians such as Shirley Bassey, Randy Brecker, Harvey S, Joel Rosenblatt, Mike Pope, Jon Benitez, Richie Morales and Philip Hamilton to name just a few. He recently shared the stage with the Grammy Award Winner Mr Dave Valentin. He crossed over into pop music by playing the guitar solo on Mariah Carey's smash hit 'My All' (Sony Music 1998). Spiros has also composed music for the feature film 'Everything for a Reason' (2000), the short film 'Niko's Restaurant' (2001) and the theatrical play 'Gallathea' (2002) and 'The Chicken and The Hen' (2007).