Off-Beat Music Sector - Spiros Exaras on his Collaboration with Elio Villafranco and their upcoming CD

Share |



Photo by JANIS WILKINS

What do you get when you combine a Greek and a Cuban? – Some really great music is what.

By Peter Douskalis

What do you get when you combine a Greek and a Cuban? – Some really great music is what.

I bring to you what should be no surprise to any lover of music. Spiros Exaras is a staple musician, guitarist, composer, and arranger in a global music scene and is preparing to release a CD, “Old Waters, New River”, with world-renowned Cuban pianist Elio Villafranco. Both based here in New York City, the two had the opportunity to connect and record a beautiful duet album featuring piano and guitar that will soon be released. Although a sophisticated style of music jazz may be, you don’t need to know anything to know that this is beautiful music. I had the opportunity to speak with Spiros about the upcoming release to better understand the project and its message.

Be sure to keep an eye out on Spiros’ website: www.spirosexaras.com for future release information. You can also make sure to keep an eye out right here in NEO Magazine for all of the latest details and can also keep up on the latest music news in the area by following my Facebook at www.facebook.com/peterdguitar.

Can you tell me about the inspiration for this album? How did the whole project begin?

We both come from countries with rich cultures. Before we sat down and jam together we knew that something different would come up from this. There is no bigger challenge for a musician to explore something totally opposite than is used to. That is what happened in this case. Mike Millius is an acclaimed producer and the one who brought us together. Before he introduced us I remember him saying, “I think you two guys should meet and play together”.

How did you come up with the name for the album?


Titles are always a tough part. After long time that we were searching for a name, we both came with something similar. I incorporated the word “river” while Elio used the word “old water”. Then we put them together, not to make happy both parties, but basically because this title represents the project. Old waters reflect the two cultures (Greek and Cuban) and new river is the project that emanates from these “waters”.

Based on your previous CD’s blend of jazz and Greek influence, how does your new album compare?

This project is not just me, but Elio as well. The two of us are sharing ideas, compositions, arrangements, etc. So it has a lot of paths to explore. I would say that this project is Greek-Cuban-jazz, comparing to my previous album “Phrygianics” that was more of a Balkan-jazz.

I hear that on this project you use a nylon string guitar. Do you have a preference which type of guitar you use and how did this affect your style of composing?

Certain instruments can lead you to specific ideas, or some compositions require an accurate sound effect. In this project we both aimed to keep it simple in sounds. We had so much to say with the compositions and arrangements of the songs that didn’t need to make it more complicated. Sometimes simplicity speaks more to the heart and this project has a lot of emotions that only could be expressed by pure wooden instruments.

How is it that you blend your Greek heritage with your jazz guitar playing? Is this something that you consciously do or does it come naturally?

Years ago I was trying to sound more “American”. From the time I started to appreciate Greek music more, I began to utilize Greek elements into my playing and compositions. I am in a level that all these elements come naturally to me.

How do you find yourself promoting the style of jazz music to the Greek community? Further, how do you find yourself making this cross-connection to mainstream jazz in the US?

Very tough! Greek audience, especially here is not educated in jazz at all, or other styles than Greek music. People know my work basically from my participation in Greek concerts or engagements that are related to the Greek community. American audience is more open to other cultures; let’s not forget that this country is a blend of different ethnicities. Therefore, they can appreciate the fusion in music, as they do it in cuisine or even in other forms of art.

What was it like working with Cuban pianist Elio Villafranco and in what ways did you collaborate on this project?

Elio is a great person, besides he is an acclaimed musician. I learned a lot from him. We‘ve been working together for over 3 years now. I think the biggest achievement of this collaboration is that we both learned how to tame our egos. That’s why this project is well balanced. I know when Elio is trying to explore something and I leave him space, the same he does when I try something new. He will take it with respect and get it somewhere else.

Will there be a release party?

ABSOLUTELY! We don’t know yet the exact release date, probably in the beginning of 2013. It will certainly be followed by a release party.

©2012 NEOCORP MEDIA





web stats tracker