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Vasilis Xenopoulos

Saxophonist, composer and educator, Vasilis Xenopoulos is one of the most accomplished Greek jazz musicians of his generation and a genuine representative of straight ahead jazz. London became his permanent home after graduating with honors from the Berklee College of Music in Boston and gradually established himself as one of London’s up and coming jazz saxophonists. He has worked with some of the best musicians of the International Jazz Scene as a band leader, a section leader and as a guest soloist at various projects.

In 2009 he formed “The Xtet" and their debut album “Loud City" containing 8 original compositions was released on 33Jazz Records in 2011. Two years later he released his second album “The Wind Machine" under the same label, which gained some fine reviews in the top British media such as The Times and BBC radio 3. In 2017 Nigel Price and Xenopoulos created the XPQ (Xenopoulos/Price Quartet) and recorded their first album under that brand, “Sidekicks" which celebrates some of the most successful guitar/sax pairings in the history of jazz.

The Guardian praised him recently for being one of the leading examples of European jazz musicians who live and perform in Britain and bringing his continental element to the jazz scene. Further to that Vasilis has permanent collaborations with artists from Greece and Cyprus where he performs as a leader or guest artist on a regular basis. As a result he is permanently active in three different scenes/markets (British, Greek and Cypriot).

Vasilis’ charismatic performances reveal his truly fabulous style thus his energy and passion interact with his audience. With his great talent, love and respect. he cherishes the instrument’s challenges and pushes it beyond.

His credits also include seminars on Jazz Saxophone and Improvisation. His upcoming album “DEXTERITY” is to be released during autumn 2019.

V.Xenopoulos is an endorsing artist of Rigotti Reeds S.A France.

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2
Take Five With...

Take Five with Vasilis Xenopoulos

Read "Take Five with Vasilis Xenopoulos" reviewed by Vasilis Xenopoulos


About Vasilis Xenopoulos Saxophonist, composer and educator Vasilis Xenopoulos is one of the most accomplished Greek jazz musicians of his generation and a genuine representative of straight ahead jazz. jny: London became his permanent home after graduating with honors from the Berklee College of Music in jny: Boston and gradually established himself as one of London's up and coming jazz saxophonists. He has worked with some of the best musicians of the international jazz scene as a band ...

4
Album Review

Vasilis Xenopoulos: The Wind Machine

Read "The Wind Machine" reviewed by Roger Farbey


It would be easy, too easy, to write-off Greek-born (now U.K. resident) Vasilis Xenopoulos as yet another mainstream jazz musician. This would be a grave mistake because, as witnessed here in this, his second album, Xenopoulos breathes brave new life into old standards. Not only that, but these numbers are executed with superb skill. The Woody Herman band's “Four Brothers" kicks off sharply and smartly followed by “The Groove Merchant." Already the listener can discern a class act in the ...

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“One of the most fiery young saxophonists around blazes a path through the hard bop repertoire" (The Times) ★★★★ “A tremendous asset to the UK Jazz Scene" (London Jazz News) …"A bright newcomer on alto and tenor saxist Vasilis Xenopoulos"… (Evening Standard) ★★★★★ "Old-school warmth and modern day dynamism" JAZZWISE “Dashing Greek tenorist…real passion…full-blooded, hard-swinging solos” (Evening Standard)
Primary Instrument

Saxophone

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Vasilis is available for workshops and master classes of all sizes. His approach and ideas are beneficial for all instruments–not just horn players. He is also available for private lessons and teaches jazz improvisation for intermediate to advanced level players on all instruments. Lessons can be arranged via Skype as well. To set up a lesson or workshop please contact: [email protected]

Photos

Concerts

Apr 19 Fri
Jun 21 Fri

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Signs of Life by...

Howlin' Werewolf
2020

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DEXTERITY

AVJ PRODUCTIONS (www.avjproductions.com)
2019

buy

A Narrow Escape

Paul Edis Music
2017

buy

Sidekicks

Trio Records
2017

buy

Loud City

33 Jazz
2011

buy

Videos

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