Mimis Plessas fronts veteran quartet
The enduring veteran composer Mimis Plessas, one of the country’s most prolific and versatile songwriters since his emergence as a recording artist in the early 1950s, has put together a jazz quartet of fellow veterans for a series of weekly shows that have begun at the capital’s House of Art venue in the Psyrri district. Still active at 77, Plessas, whose multifaceted repertoire includes numerous soundtracks for Greek film and laiko music, has also shown an affinity for jazz music which dates back to his early days. For his current shows, Plessas has compiled a repertoire comprising old jazz numbers from New Orleans, various other parts of the world, as well as original compositions. The veteran composer is joined by Titos Kalliris on electric guitar, Nikos Tsemelis on double bass, Giorgos Lavranos on drums, Thanos Gergoulas on brass, as well as Zoe Kouroukli on vocals. Plessas will play the piano. The composer, a recipient of numerous awards throughout his career, helped establish the careers of many of the country’s vocalists, among them the world-renowned Nana Mouschouri, Marinella, Stratos Dionysiou, as well as Kouroukli, who is appearing with Plessas for these shows. Despite his advancing years, Plessas has remained active in various fields of music. Besides the undiminished productivity of his own releases, Plessas has continued writing prolifically for theater, film, radio and television. Mimis Plessas and his jazz quartet will perform Mondays, November 19 and 26, at the House of Art, 4 Sachtouri and Sarri, Psyrri, at 10.30 p.m. Admission is 4,500 drachmas. For reservations, call 321.7678. The 19 committee members met at the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, so as not to offend the governors who were wary of the intentions of the European Commission in Brussels.
