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£ 0.00 - £8.00 / Age All AgesFREE up to and including 6 years old.
Tickets:
https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/matine-show-rebet-asker-greek-green-note-tickets/14010463?REFERRAL_ID=twfb
Seating operates on a first come first serve basis. Please be prepared to stand (or lean against the bar!) if all seats are taken by the time you arrive.
Born in 1921 in Istanbul, Giorgos Mitsakis was a prolific composer of Greek folk music. He was drawn to music from an early age, initially playing on the harmonica the French tunes and operetta songs that would reach the streets of his neighbourhood in Ferikoy. In the 1930s, after relocating with his family to Kavala and later to Volos, he set off for Thessaloniki in search of new opportunities. Immersed in the city's thriving rebetiko scene, Mitsakis eventually moved to Piraeus, where he embarked on a professional career as a bouzouki player, later rising to prominence as one of the instrument’s greatest virtuosos.
Mitsakis’ career flourished in the post-war years, and by the 1950s, he was one of the most sought-after songwriters in Greece, composing for legendary artists like Stelios Kazantzidis, Kaiti Grey, Poly Panou, and in the 1960s, Giannis Kalantzis, Giannis Parios, and Giorgos Dalaras. In addition to his influence in music, Mitsakis was a mentor to younger musicians, earning the nickname "The Teacher." His guidance helped shape the careers of several generations of Greek folk singers and musicians, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
His compositions reflect the rich tapestry of musical traditions that prevailed in early 20th-century Greece, including the urban folk music of the eastern Mediterranean, the rural folk music of the Balkans, and the harmonies of central Europe. Beyond his talent as a composer, Mitsakis was also an artful lyricist. Often referred to as a "rebetiko poet", Mitsakis' lyrics display rare humanity and romanticism, and an authentic folk ethos; they speak of the joys and pitfalls of love, the pain of foreign lands, and the quotidian concerns and struggles of the Greek folk.
Giorgos Mitsakis continued composing and performing throughout his life. He passed away in 1993, leaving behind him a large body of work consisting of more than a thousand songs. His legacy endures, with his songs still performed and celebrated today. As a composer, musician, and poet of the people, he remains a towering figure in the history of Greek folk music.
Join us for an afternoon celebrating his music!
Dimitris Kalogiannis: vocals, baglama
Thanos Papageorgiou: bouzouki, vocals
Ioannis Eleftheriadis: guitar, vocals
Additional Info:
Rebet Asker-Greek Roots Series:An afternoon of Greek Rebetiko for all the family!Rebet Asker was a restaurant/music venue which saw all the great Greek musicians and from the 20th century through to today pass through it. The walls of this little place in a small side street by Piraeus harbour have witnessed the history of the Greek Rebetiko as it has evolved over the last one hundred years. Some years have passed now, since it closed, but through this series of Sunday gigs we will do our best to recreate some of the magic of these musicians and their songs as it started and developed. Now in its 10th year, this tribute to the magical music of rebetiko, is the longest running series in London dedicated to this music. Come to hear classic songs and even some lesser known gems of great rebetiko musicians such as Toundas, Papazogklou, Skarvelis, Peristeris, Hadjichristos, Vamvakaris, Papaioannou, Tsitsanis, Mitsakis, Hiotis and more!
An afternoon of Greek Rebetiko for all the family!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Green Note, 106 Parkway, London, NW1 7AN, United Kingdom,London, United Kingdom
Tickets
