Petros Klampanis

Bassist, composer, and arranger Petros Klampanis grew up on the Zakynthos Island in Greece, a place with very rich musical heritage where Italian and Balkan music traditions melt together.

This music amalgam was Petros’ first major influence and seed of inspiration to pick up the piano and guitar, and start singing in local choirs at a very early age. A few years later, at 15, he attended a pop music concert where he discovered his soon-to-be favorite electric bassist, Yiotis Kiourtsolgou. It was this experience which would open his world to something new: the bass and jazz. Eagerly, Klampanis pursued the bass with constant playing and practicing and he also began listening intently to artists like Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Jaco Pastorius.

After finishing high school, he moved to Athens in order to attend the Polytechnic school of the city. It wasn't long before he realized that the ship engineering course was not as desirable as it seemed so he decided to take exams for the Music department of Athens University. His life would take another positive turn when he was accepted in 2001. During Klampanis’ time in Athens, he had the chance of playing with some of the finest Greek jazz artists today. Additionally, he took part in various musical projects such as the Athens Big Band and played in many prestigious venues in Greece like Megaron Mousikis Athens, and Megaron Mousikis of Thessalonica.

In 2005 to 2007, Petros Klampanis continued to pursue a formal education in music by joining the double bass department of the Amsterdam Conservatory where he got his BA degree and graduated with distinction.

From there, Petros toured in Europe (Germany, Holland, Luxemburg, Belgium, France, Spain, Monaco, Portugal, Switzerland, Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, China, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia) and took part in many major European jazz festivals. During this time, he received many awards and honors in major music competitions most notably the Hoeilaart/Brussels Jazz Competition in 2008, and the YPF International Jazz Concourse and Amersfoort Jazz Competition both in 2007.

In 2008, Klampanis moved to New York City to study and eventually earned a Masters in Jazz Performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music.

Today Petros Klampanis has been performing in various venues in New York where he has shared the stage with many top musicians from the New York jazz scene including Ari Hoenig, Jean Michel Pilc, Gretchen Parlato, Antonio Hart, Michael Mossman, Gilad Hekselman, Paul Bollenback, David Berkman, Ron Affif, to name a few. Additionally, since 2009, Klampanis serves as a guest teacher at the Ionian Music University of Corfu, Greece as well as Oberlin Conservatory of Music, OH.

His first personal album CONTEXTUAL is released by Inner Circle Music label and has received rave reviews.

“Petros Klampanis' CONTEXTUAL, is an amazing project.”

Greg Osby, saxophonist, composer, producer.

“A formidable player and composer, bassist Petros Klampanis [...] makes his auspicious Stateside debut with Contextual.”

Bill Milkowski, Jazztimes Magazine.

“I admit that I am always impressed when I hear a musician like Petros Klampanis give us the gift of his creativity performed on such a timeless vessel.”

Raul Amador, Bass Musician Magazine.

“Klampanis plays solo bass with overdubs to create a “double bass orchestra” on “Basscope” and “Blue Cave,” which are done so masterfully that you’d think it was a full symphony.”

Kevin Johnson, No Treble Magazine.

“Contextual is one of the most exciting records I have heard from a bassplayer in years. The writing and playing is excellent, with a very good sound and a wide spectrum of musical ideas.”

Arild Andersen, bassist, composer.

“Excellent writing and playing. I especially like Petros' aggressive melodicism, beautiful intonation, and uniquely personal string writing.”

Drew Gress, bassist, composer.

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