Village Voice
Date/Time:Fri., October 9, 8:00pm
Mavrothi Kontanis & the Maeandros Ensemble
BY RICHARD GEHR
The youngish Greek-American oud player Mavrothi Kontanis and his
terrific quintet (featuring Greek clarinet star Lefteris Bournias)
breath new life into the Smyrneika cabaret sound and bluesier rebetika
standards of pre-war Greece. Emotional yet virtuosic, Kontanis and
company unwind their sensuous dance tunes and nostalgic laments with
vigor and deliberation, reimagining a world in which Greek, Turkish,
and Armenian styles blended together.
Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Torgomian Varazdat. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.
Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2009/10/04/mavrothi-kontanis-the-maeandros-ensemble/