May 16, 2011
To: Listings/Critics/Features
From: Jazz Promo Services
Press Contact: Jim Eigo, jazzpromo@earthlink.net
Please note that set time for
Dimitri Vassilakis at the Zinc Bar has changed to: 9 & 11PM
Dimitri Vassilakis-Across The Universe
(Candid Records ZOCD78507)
Dimitri Vassilakis sings and plays songs from the Beatles, Doors, Nina Simone and Chet Baker repertoire, to celebrate Candid Records 50th anniversary!
Original arrangements recorded in New York with a large ensemble; a cosmopolitan line up of top international jazzmen from all continents. Special guests include the west coast r&b power vocals of Kamaria Ousley & the warm and sensual voice of UK’s vocal diva Juliet Kelly.
Dimitrios Vassilakis (soprano & tenor saxophones and lead vocals Theo Hill (piano), Essiet Okon Essiet (bass), Sylvia Cuenca (drums), Kamaria Ousley & Juliet Kelly (lead/backing vocals), Christos Rafalides (vibraphone), George Kontrafouris (hammond), Kostis Christodoulou (keyboards), Rex Richardson (trumpets), Adonis Andreou (trombones) and Enrique “Kiki” Bu (percussion).
After the award winning (BBC, Smithsonian, Yale) Candid trilogy:
“Secret Path”, “Labyrinth” & “Parallel Lines”, that produced collaborations with: Jeff “Tain” Watts, Essiet Essiet, Dave Liebman, Abdullah Ibrahim, Marc Johnson, Ralph Peterson, Andy Sheppard, Theodosii Spassov, Sylvia Cuenca, Jazz Jamaica, Tomorrows Warriors, The Greek Gang! and many more, this album tells the life story of this world traveller that has also crossed the finish line @ the historic 2010 Athens Marathon!
Includes radio hits “Nature Boy”, “Across The Universe”, “Light My Fire” & “Four Women”
Press Quotes:
“Dimitri has a wonderful voice especially evocative and warm on the ballads…some robust saxophone work and fine arrangements”
Bruce Lundvall
“Saxophonist-vocalist Dimitri Vassilakis is a dynamic live performer. His highflying style full of impassioned lines and impeccable technique, fires his exciting new album.”
London Jazz Festival
“Infinite grace poetry and passion…Dimitri Vassilakis is revered as the Hellenic God of post-modern expression. Arhapsodic stylist of immense power and authority.” BBC Music Magazine
“Vassilakis leads a groove-based trio with Essiet Essiet and Jeff “Tain” Watts…I’ve little doubt that if these three played live, it would burn…” Jazz Times NY
“Dimitri Vassilakis uses the warmth of his Greek spirit to inform a command of the jazz language, with a series of great Candid recordings to his name.” London Jazz Festival
“Jazz among the Greek Gods…Dimitri Vassilakis brings fresh, organic and energized music to the Smithsonian.”
Natural History Museum Washington DC
“Vassilakis is a consistently interesting and often very impressive player…conjures amazing depths of color and harmonic resonance from his group… filtered through a unique imagination and delivered by a powerfully individual voice.”
The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD 7th edition
“His timbre is soaked in thick, slow harmonic molasses…”
One Way Magazine LA
“Leader Vassilakis’s compositions offer a perfect platform for post-modern expression…whiz-kid tenor player from Greece…post-Coltrane, post-Rollins style…high-energy and immensely fluid…overall, euphorically dizzying.”
“Live at Birdland” “New York Press”
“A cut above the rest…still spinning furiously on this deck…a sparkling set of original tunes from Greek saxophonist…this album is a revelation.”
Ronnie Scott’s Magazine
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