Jannis Zotos

Bio:

.. Jannis Zotos

Greek musician, songwriter & composer based in Berlin.

Jannis Zotos studies classical guitar at the „Musikhochschule Hans Eisler“ at Berlin from 1984 to 1989.

In 1980, during a performance of the Oratorium “Canto General“ (Theodorakis/Neruda) in Berlin, Jannis Zotos and the famous Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis meet for the first time. From that day on the bond between them shall last. In 1981 and 1982 performances of the Oratorium “Axion esti“ (Theodorakis/Elytis) directed by the composer himself lead to the production of a recording (Eterna). In 1987 Zotos orchestrates the production „Gisela May singt Theodorakis“ (Amiga). From 1990 on Zotos conducts Theodorakis’ orchestra, writes arrangements and joins tours through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, France, Belgium, Norway, The Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, Israel, Canada and of course Greece. Zotos also works with Maria Farantouri, George Dalara, Dimitra Galani, Maria Dimitriadi, Eli Paspala and Petros Pandis. In 1990/91 he orchestrates the music for the CD „Theodorakis sings Theodorakis“ (Intuition), in 1995 „Birthday Concert – Mikis Theodorakis & Maria Farantouri“ (Tropical Music) and in 1997 „Together-Mikis Theodorakis & Sülfü Livaneli“ (BMG). Between 1997 and 2004 he is on tour with Maria Farantouri in Europe and the United States.

Jannis Zotos composes scores for motion picures and theater productions: „Diese Landschaft ist hart wie das Schweigen“ (film about the Greek Poet Jannis Ritsos), directed by Joachim Tschirner; „Sunny Point“, directed by Wolf Vogel; „Antigone“, written by Sophokles, Neues Theater Halle, directed by Alexander Stillmark; „Der Auftrag“ written by Heiner Müller, directed by Thomas Bischoff; „Faust I“, written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, directed by Thomas Bischoff and „Der Sondeur“, written by Jannis Ritsos, directed by Thomas Bischoff. In 1998 the CD „Sonne und Zeit“ by Maria Farantouri and Rainer Kirchmann (Lyra) is released, that was in part arranged by Zotos.

In 1990 Jannis Zotos founds Zotos Kompania togeher with his brother Thanassis. The group is deeply devoted to rembetiko music and traditional Asia Minor and Greek music. He spends more time playing the Bouzouki and takes Oud lessons from the Syrian Oud master Farhan Sabah, while Zotos Kompania develops its very own rembetico style. The Greek TV station ERT produces a documentary about Zotos Kompania touring Greece. In 1995 the CD „Deviation – Zotos Kompania live in Concert“ (Cooleur) and in 2004 „Lethargía“ (anjoke) are released. In 2001 Zotos Kompania is invited to the „Folkfestival Gooik“ in Belgium and in 2004 to the „Tanz- und Folkfestival Rudolstadt“.

From 2002 on Jannis Zotos follows the tradition of other greek composers by setting to music the lyric poetry of their fellow countrymen. He rediscovers the lyricist Maria Polidouri (1902-1930) and sets to music eleven of her poems. This cycle he calls „EROS & THANATOS“ and establishes its live performance together with Antonis Anissegos (piano), Michael Rodach (guitar), Maria Simoglou (vocal, oboe), Maria Anissegou (violoncello), Thanassis Zotos (percussion, vocals) and various others.

He starts setting to music the work of the masters Georgios Seferis, Odysseas Elytis and Thodoris Gonis.

An epihany for Jannis Zotos is the poet, rather than the composer Mikis Theodorakis. It is Theodorakis’ early poetry that draws his attention. He starts setting it to music and his effort culminates in the production of the CD „The silent voices of memory“. Deliberately Zotos includes pop and rock elements to his compositions. For the recording sessions he is joned by a number of excellent musicians: Reinmar Henschke (piano), Kai Brückner (guitar), Tomy Jordy (bass), Stefan Weeke (contrabass), Peter Michailow (drums) and Topo Gioia (percussion).

Own bands are:
Jannis Zotos Band
with: Kai Brückner / Dirk Hohmut - guitars, Antonis Anissegos / Reinmar Henschke - piano, key, Thanassis Zotos - vocal, percussions, Mike Parker - bass, Topo Gioia - percussions, Peter Michailow - drums. Jannis Zotos - vocal, guitars

Zotos Kompania - rembetica & asia minor music
with: Thanassis Zotos - vocal, percussions, Dietrich Petzod - violin, Nevzat Akpinar - saz, Jan Hermerschmidt - clarinet, Wocka Musick - doublebass, Jannis Zotos - bouz, oud, guit, voc

Member Since:

October 26, 2007

Record Label:

oudattack records