Alekos K. Vretos
Greek oudist, pianist and composer Alekos Vretos has been merging jazz, Arabic, Greek and Latin music in a masterful blend of sounds from traditional instruments, such as the oud or the nay, vs. the modern ones. As a bandleader, Alekos has developed a unique atmosphere for his music: keeping traditional sound in the front line, he expands it through jazz improvisation and exploding rhythmic development. In 2014, Alekos released his 2nd personal CD “K. on Top”. A long way musically from his previous work “Mergin’”, “K. on Top” is a statement of how World music and Jazz should be mixed without becoming to separate genres in one piece. Mature and stable, he is walking the line of good and tasteful musicianship overall. For his work and help towards the music scene (especially World Jazz), he was included in 2013 list of the 100+1 most influential people in the Greek music scene published by the Athens Voice newspaper.
Some of the venues that Alekos has performed in - with great reviews on his playing and composing - are: The Herodion (GR), The Athens Concert Hall (GR), the Berklee Performance Center (USA), Mount Holyoke College (USA), the Tombs of Kings in Palestine, The Argos Ancient Theatre (GR), The Half Note Jazz Club (GR), The Vortex Jazz Club (UK), The 1er Piso Jazz Club (MEX), 2nd Athens World Jazz Music Festival (GR), 1st Medieval Byzantine Festival Of Kastoria (GR), 2nd Fougaro Jazz Festival (GR), and more.
Read moreTags
December 04, 2014
Ø “Alekos Vretos seamlessly divines the perfumed essence of Middle Eastern music, infusing that essence into jazz and creating a rich world music hybrid that is as enjoyable to listen to as it is bold to consider.” C. Michael Bailey – All About Jazz (18th February 2015)
Ø “If you hear music with your soul, you can’t miss out on “K on Top” by Vretos” Maria Markouli – It’s My Blender - mariamarkouli.blogspot.gr (12th January 2015)
Ø “Every piece (in “K on Top”) demonstrates a linear climax of feelings that are drawn through the compositions” Christos Ieridis – Ta Nea (1st December 2014)
Ø “A World Jazz dynamite with Alekos Vretos’ signature” Dimitris Trikas – Popaganda.gr (29th November 2015)
Ø “Alekos Vretos lives amongst us all
Primary Instrument
Oud
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced