George Kontrafouris c.v.
Born in Athens in 1967, studied classical piano at the National Auditorium. At the age of 16 he switched to jazz music, which inspired him and has achieved great success. As a founding member of the "Page One" band, an active member of "EXIT" and "Houston Pearson Quartet", he has cooperated with many international known musicians, such as: Arild Andersen, Carey Bell, Bob Brozman, Carla Cook, Keith Copeland, Wayne Dockery, Stepko Gut, Marc McDonald, Markus Stockhausen, Louisiana Red, Andy Shepard and participated in many recordings. He has recorded three personal CDs and was the orchestration and production manager of Sofia's Noiti CD "Agios Chronos". He worked as a piano professor at Athenaeum Auditorium and at the Ionian University of Corfu.
Γιώργος Κοτνραφούρης - ΘΕΜΑ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΟ ΓΙΑ ΕΓΚΛΩΒΙΣΜΕΝΟΥΣ Κείμενο: Γιώργος Χριστοδουλόπουλος | 2007
BABY TRIO - A New Snack
1. The insane attack of the Komodo Waran (George Kontrafouris)
2. 5 to 7 (Alexandros Vichos)
3. Daddy Giorgos (George Kontrafouris)
George Kontrafouris Hammond Organ
Alexandros Vichos Guitar
Vangelis Kotzabasis Drums
Special guests
Dj Briam kmodo waran
Capherine screaming
Recorded on 11.04.2008 by George Fragelis at AEOLIA recording studio Athens Greece.
puzzelmusik
www.myspace.com/puzzlemusik
Το Baby Trio δημιουργήθηκε για να εκφράσει την αφέλεια, τον εφηβικό ενθουσιασμό και γενικά ότι κάνει εντύπωση σε ένα νέο μουσικό όταν αρχίζει να παίζει σε ένα συγκρότημα με τους φίλους του. Η παρθενική του έκδοση αποτελείται από δυο πολύ νέους και εξαιρετικά ταλαντούχους μουσικούς τον Αλέξανδρος Βίχος και τον Βαγγέλη Κοτζάμπαση, που πιστεύω ότι έχουν πολλά να προσφέρουν στο μέλλον. Το Baby Trio τελικά εκφράζει όλες τις "μη ρεαλιστικές προσδοκίες" που υπάρχουν πριν αρχίσει η "κανονική ζωή".
Γιώργος Κοντραφούρης
Baby Trio was created so as to convey the naivety, the teenage enthusiasm and all the things that electrify a young musician when he is only starting out to play music with a group where its members are his friends. This debut version of the Baby Trio features two very young and remarkably talented musicians: Alexandros Vichos and Vagelis Kotzabasis. I believe that they have a lot to offer in the future. To put it all in a phrase the Baby Trio comprises all the "non-realistic expectations" that arise before "normal life" begins.
George Kontrafouris
Personal Discography:
DON'T BE SHY Lyra, 1998
TOO CLOSE Legend Records 1999
Little Daddy's Blues Chicken Coup Records 2007
To be released:
"The Sonny Clark Project"
G.Kontrafouris (trombone) - Wassily Xenopoulos (sax)
29.10. - 1.11.2002 - Live at parafono
THE SONNY CLARK PROJECT
George Kontrafouris : piano
Stepko Gut : trumpet
Dimos Dimitriadis : alto sax
Olivier Gatto : bass
Keith Copeland : drums
Πέντε κορυφαίους της jazz σε ένα ειδικό αφιέρωμα στον μεγάλο πιανίστα της jazz: Sonny Clark.
Παράλληλα θα πραγματοποιηθεί ηχογράφηση με συνθέσεις του σπουδαίου αμερικανού πιανίστα, σε επιμέλεια του Γιώργου Κοντραφούρη.
Five remarkable jazz musicians within a unique homage at the great pianist in jazz: Sonny Clark.
Parallel the recording with composition of this famous American pianist will be realized under the diligence of George Kontrafouris.
Little Daddy's Blues
Tracklisting:
01 The Ruler Jussi Lehtonen
02 The Notebook G.Kontrafouris
03 Teenie's World G.Kontrafouris
04 The Shuffle of Changes G.Kontrafouris
05 Invisible Heeting Machine G.Kontrafouris
06 V Blues G.Kontrafouris
07 For The Music Tim Hogans
08 Heatin' E G.Kontrafouris
George Kontrafouris: Hammond Organ and (piano on track 8)
Manuel Dunkel: Tenor Sax
Somi Linna: Guitar
Jussi Lehtonen: Drums
Bongo Bob: Percussion (tracks 1 & 8)
Liner notes:
Little Daddy's Blues
In the Jazz Organ world...
...it is fair for me to say that we all are striving to perfect our skills as players, listeners, bandmates et al. It's a life long yearning to be the best we can be while we spend countless hours listening to what other organists are playing, practicing to perfect what we heard, and then playing a million gigs as we sharpen and mold ourselves to gain the title "Jazz Organist".
All instruments have their challenges for sure, but the Hammond organist who plays from such traditions as Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson, Larry Young Jr., Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff , Groove Holmes... have to not only learn to play lead lines and solos, but must fully understand music! Organists are expected to play bass lines, comp behind soloists, solo and play melodies and harmonies along with command the very dynamical Mighty Hammond with a flair that turns it into the magical music form we love.
In addition, the organist has got to swing. On this recording, I'm proud to introduce you to a great devoted musician who in my book has gained that very title: "Jazz Organist"!
Ladies and Gentleman: Mr.....George Kontrafouris.
George was born in Athens Greece
In 1967 where he spent his early days studying classical piano at the National Conservatory where in 1989 he gained his diploma. Looking through George's biography and detailed resume and education, one would see real quickly that George is a lifer for sure.
In 1989 he turned his interests to Jazz music where he changed his course. I first met George through an email where he was interested in some of my educational material. I asked if he had any recordings of his playing and he sent me a few mp3s to listen to of a live performance. As I listened, I couldn't help say to myself, "what's this cat gonna learn from me?" But then again his eagerness to learn and explore his talents is what makes George such a great organist and obviously a welcome member of the "Chicken Coup".
On "Little Daddy's Blues",
George is joined by a really great group of musicians: Manuel Dunkel on Tenor Sax, Sami Linna on Guitar, and Jussi Lehtonen on Drums.
George even goes back to his Piano roots on "Heatin' E" (track 8). Bongo Bob joins also on the opening track "The Ruler" and then again on "Heatin' E". These band mates are a great mix for the wide talents of George's playing skills and style selections.
The selections begin with a lively Calypso as the whole group brings in "The Ruler". Right away you'll feel the band groove with George leading the way on his B3! On "The Notebook", the trio plays a nice lively tune in 3/4. On track three George plays the beautiful original ballad "Teenie's World". Then, the band breaks into a really swinging original, "Shuffle of Changes" reminiscent of the good old chitlin days! On track five, George writes and records a Jack McDuff/Red Holloway-like original called "Invisible Heating Machine". Here again you'll feel like your listening to a classic recording taken right out of a club in Harlem in the early '60s. On track six George plays his very own "V Blues" where he shows he's been doing his homework as his soloing takes you through a very Larry-Youngish style yet still keeps his sound very much integrated throughout. Then, the band again heats things up with a very pretty and open "For the Music", where there is some really great interplay between the whole band. Finally George closes this session with his very Funky "Heatin' E". On this last tune, the band is rejoined with Bongo Bob as George moves over to play some piano too!
I hope you enjoy this great new addition to the "Chicken Coup". I believe that you'll fall in love with George Kontrafouris's music and great band as quickly as I did.
Maestro Giorgio, I wish you all the success in the world and I hope this is just the beginning of a well-deserved wonderful career!
God Bless,
Tony Monaco
Credits
Recorded and Mixed by Tommi Vainkainen
Recorded June 27th, 2006 at Finnvox, Helsinki - Finland
Mixed September 2, 2006 at Musik Makers, Helsinki - Finland
Mastered November 3rd, 2006 Columbus Sound, Galena, Ohio USA
Producer: George Kontrafouris
Executive Producers: Tony Monaco & DC2S
Special thanks to Manu, Sami, Jussi for their wonderful energy. Thanks to Jari Perkiomaki, Jukkis Uotilo, Tim Hagans, Wade Mikkola, Eero Koivistoinen, Jarno Kukkonen, Timo Lassy, MBO (Valtteri Poyhonen and Ville Pynssi). Thanks to Kyriaki and Fotis Kontrafouris. Very special thanks to my other half Katerina.
www.kontrafouris.com George Kontrafouris
www.myspace.com/georgekontrafouris George Kontrafouris
home page Tony Monaco
IONIAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE
10 χρόνια "Jazz & Tzaz"
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