Born: June 10, 1978 Primary Instrument: Guitar
Originally from Greece, Tassos Spiliotopoulos moved to London in 2000 and has studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama (Mmus) and Trinity College of Music (Bmus, Hons). During that time Tassos also attended seminars at the School for Improvisational Music in New York City where he studied and performed with Ralph Alessi, Ravi Coltrane, Brad Shepik, Jim Black and Drew Gress.
During the past few years Tassos has been touring with his own band as well as numerous other creative projects, performing in clubs and festivals in the UK, Germany, France, Greece, Sweden, Spain and USA. He has worked with artists such as Kenny Wheeler, Gary Husband, Asaf Sirkis, Tim Garland, Dimitri Vassilakis, Eileen Hunter, John Parricelli, Mike Outram, John Etheridge, and more. In 2005, Tassos formed his own quartet with three of the most talented musicians he has been playing with, Asaf Sirkis, Robin Fincker and Yaron Stavi. The idea was to create a fresh sounding, contemporary group that combines lyrical, extended-form compositions with high energy improvising. The Quartet's first album 'Wait For Dusk' was released by Konnex Records in 2006 (CAT KCD5166). Tassos is currently leading a new trio and has just released their new album.
Opting for a more intimate sound on ‘Archipelagos’ Tassos continues to develop his compositional approach which blends contemporary Jazz with modern classical, folk and even rock fusion. The album's eight tracks offer a guitar oriented, European sound that is both intricate and powerful but at times becomes reflective and mesmerizing. The Trio (Yaron Stavi-bass and Asaf Sirkis, drums) interprets with a range of colours, from energetic to almost brittle and strong band interplay is always at the core of their sound. The album also features two very special guests, Kenny Wheeler (Trumpet) and John Parricelli (Guitar). The two contemporary masters who need no introductions have been a great inspiration and influence for Spiliotopoulos, who has tailored their featuring compositions around them.
“...Guitarist Tassos Spiliotopoulos, a six-string shredder clearly influenced by Allan Holdsworth and John McLaughlin, flaunts some impressive chops...” --Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times
“...Tassos Spiliotopoulos developed his melodic originals into a lucid flow of elegant ideas.” --Evening Standard
“...In the sound of excellent Jazz guitarist Tassos Spiliotopoulos we hear fusion masters such as Allan Holdsworth, Scott Henderson and John McLaughlin, as well as younger important players such as Kurt Rosenwinkel and Ben Monder.” -- Jazz & Tzaz Magazine
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