Giorgos Xylouris
Giorgos Xylouris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | September 25, 1965 |
| Origin | Anogeia, Crete, Greece |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Laouto |
| Member of | Xylouris White |
Giorgos Xylouris (Greek: Γιώργoς Ξυλούρης, born September 25, 1965), also known as Psarogiorgis (Greek: Ψαρογιώργης), is a Cretan laouto player and singer.
Xylouris was born into a musical family (his father is Psarantonis (Antonis Xylouris), himself born in 1937; his uncle Nikos Xylouris (1936-1980); his cousin -Nikos's son- Giorgis Xylouris (1960-2015),[1] etc.?), and he grew up in Anogeia, their mountain village in Crete, with a rich musical culture. Xylouris started playing the Cretan laouto, a relative of the lute, at an early age,[2] guided by his uncle Psarogiannis. From eleven years old, he would accompany his father at village functions, and participate in recordings. Giorgos lived for eight years in Melbourne, Australia, where he formed the Xylouris Ensemble "in the early 1990s".[3][4] Two of the Xylouris Ensemble's albums, Antipodes (1998) and Drakos (1999), were nominated for the ARIA Fine Arts Awards in Australia. In the "2000s"[when?], The Xylouris Ensemble expanded to include a younger generation of players, including Psarogiorgis' sons Nikos and Adonis Xylouris, who are based in Melbourne.[4]
Xylouris plays the laouto as a solo instrument, in contrast to the traditional accompaniment role the laouto has in Cretan music. Normally in an ensemble, the laouto provides the rhythmic backing to the lyra, which is par excellence a singer's instrument. In this role, Giorgos is peerless. In the less usual role of lead instrument he has made the laouto a melodic instrument to frame and adorn song.[5][6][7][8]
Xylouris has performed extensively both in his native Crete, in his second home Australia, and internationally at world music festivals, collaborating with musicians from both folk and rock traditions, including Australian drummer Jim White in the duo Xylouris White.[8]
Discography[edit]
Albums[edit]
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Xylouris Ensemble |
|
| Daphne |
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| Antipodes |
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| Drakos |
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| Antipodes 2 |
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| Live in Melbourne |
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| In a Strange Land / Επί Γης Αλλοτρίας [9] |
|
See also[edit]
Awards and nominations[edit]
ARIA Music Awards[edit]
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Antipodes | Best World Music Album | Nominated | [10] |
| 1999 | Drakos | Best World Music Album | Nominated |
References[edit]
- ^ "Giorgis Xylouris, son of Nikos Xylouris, dies in road accident | eKathimerini.com".
- ^ Περιοδικό "Τα Κρητικά", Τεύχος 5ο, Ιούνιος 2008 (in Greek) ("Ta kritika" Magazine - Issue 5, June 2008)
- ^ "Giorgos Xylouris". Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
- ^ a b "About the Xylouris Ensemble". Xylouris Ensemble. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
- ^ Περιοδικό: "Δίφωνο", Τεύχος 130, Ιούλιος 2006 (in Greek) ("Difono" Magazine - Issue 130, July 2006)
- ^ Musical Workshop Labyrinth (in English)
- ^ "Lute master returns, Neos Kosmos 11 March 2010 (in English)
- ^ a b "Xylouris White". Xylouris White. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
- ^ An anthology of Greek-Australian songs and music. It features the musicians of the Xylouris Ensemble on two tracks: "Pink Lakes" and "There Are Moments". The latter is a Giorgos Xylouris composition.
- ^ ARIA Award previous winners. "ARIA Awards – Winners by Award – Best World Music Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 12 November 2020.
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