Born in Toronto, ON, on March 24th, 1972, Ilios Steryannis started drumming at the age of 12. Inspired by the artistry and power of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, he pounded on a practice pad and an old set of bongo drums until his father lovingly presented him with a brand new Tama Royalstar drumset, with Paiste cymbals, for his 13th birthday. Since then, Ilios and the drums have been inseparable.
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Born in Toronto, ON, on March 24th, 1972, Ilios Steryannis started drumming at the age of 12. Inspired by the artistry and power of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, he pounded on a practice pad and an old set of bongo drums until his father lovingly presented him with a brand new Tama Royalstar drumset, with Paiste cymbals, for his 13th birthday. Since then, Ilios and the drums have been inseparable.
He performed with his first rock band at school dances, then travelled overseas to perform in Denmark and Holland with the Oakwood Collegiate symphony orchestra. Later, Ilios earned a full scholarship to the Banff Centre for the Arts jazz program at age 18, studying with the greatMarvin “Smitty” Smith, drummer for the Tonight Show. This was followed by receiving a partial scholarship to study at Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, where Ilios’ teachers included jazz legends Joe Hunt and Ian Froman.
Back home in Toronto, Ilios completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons) degree in Jazz Performance at York University, where his instructors included jazz drummer Barry Elmes and multi instrumentalist Don Thompson. It was then time to hit the road, as Ilios joined jazz guitarist (and fellow Banff and York alumnus) Tim Posgate, touring Canada three times between 1995-97, and recording the critically acclaimed album “Mit”, which featured saxophone great Jane Bunnett. Ilios then turned his attention to composing and performing with his own band, with a large repertoire of original eclectic jazz tunes they showcased at Toronto venues such as the Rex Jazz Bar and were featured in the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival.
In 2000, highly respected Toronto session drummer and educator Rich Greenspoon recommended Ilios to join the faculty of the Arcadia Academy of Music, in Woodbridge, ON. This was the start of Ilios’ career as a well loved and respected drumset educator. Following his stint at Arcadia, Ilios joined the faculty at Brampton’s Drummer’s Choice, where he remained for three years. Ilios then joined the Parks and Recreation department of the City of Toronto in 2006 as a drum instructor, a position he retains to this day. Ilios also maintains a steady roster of private students, and additionally teaches drumset and hand percussion at Musica Music School.
Ilios’ performing career has also flourished, averaging between 75-100 shows per year as a freelance artist, including a Tuesday night residency with Johnny Devil and the Screaming Demons at the Yellow Griffin Pub since 2010. Ilios also performs with the highly respected Led Zeppelin tribute act “No Quarter”. Ilios is currently planning to finally record some of his jazz compositions with an array of Toronto’s top musicians later on in 2013.
Awards
Partial scholarship to Berklee College of Music, 1991.
Southern Ontario Stage Band Award, 1991.
Full scholarship to the Banff Jazz Program, 1990.
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