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Ilios Steryannis

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. Ilios released his first album Bethany Project in 2018.  His second album Babylonia Suite is coming out on November 2nd 2023.

Awards

Partial scholarship to Berklee College of Music, 1991. Southern Ontario Stage Band Award, 1991. Full scholarship to the Banff Jazz Program, 1990.


Tags

5
Album Review

Ilios Steryannis: Babylonia Suite

Read "Babylonia Suite" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Canadian drummer Ilios Steryannis traces his family roots back 2,500 years to ancient Babylonia. With his Babylonia Suite, he explores the family tree and his maternal grandparents' diasporic journey from Baghdad to Mumbai to Manchester and finally to Canada with a world music selection of sunshine bright music, with eleven life-affirming compositions. The instruments include piano, bansuri flute, violin, tabla, oud and saxophone. The result is a sort of Middle Eastern, Indo-jazz fusion that shifts into the direction of “Blue ...

9
Album Review

Ilios Steryannis: Bethany Project

Read "Bethany Project" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Toronto-based drummer Ilios Steryannis calls the sounds on his Bethany Project “World Music From the Heart."  Thes sound is a musical stew stirred up from Afro-Cuban rhythms, the Mediterranean sounds, John Coltrane, and ebullient West African percussions (and more), spiced with danceable funk and bebop, and drawing influences from, by turns, Gabriel Garcia Marquez' One Hundred Years of Solitude, Macedonian sounds, and--on “The Ornado"--the whirlwind motions of the leader's four year old son. That's a big world to ...

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This is the 1996 release of TIM POSGATE Mit - Canadian jazz guitarist who flows into rock, funk & fusion elements. Group is a trio that also includes electric bassist Dane Wedderburn and drummer Ilios Steryannis - also adding the soprano sax of Jane Bunnett and trumpet player Lina Allemano. I hear elements of Jeff Beck, Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny and John McLaughlin thoughout! Top notch compositions brought to life by excellent / emotive players!

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Babylonia Suite

Self Produced
2023

buy

Bethany Project

Self Produced
2018

buy

Zakir

From: Babylonia Suite
By Ilios Steryannis

The Group of 7

From: Bethany Project
By Ilios Steryannis

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