by Katerina Georgiou

“Mario Frangoulis & Friends,” a multi-cultural event conceived by Frangoulis in cooperation with The Greek Institute, benefited the homeless advocacy organization, Give Us Your Poor.

The venue, based on the design of a Greek amphitheater, provided concert-goers with a breathtaking backdrop of the New York City sunset, with sweeping views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, as they listened to Frangoulis perform in Greek, English, Spanish, Italian and French. He was joined on stage by beguiling folk and rock songstress Martha Wainwright and up-and-coming pop/jazz sensation George Perris. Grammy-nominated, blues and soul singer Mighty Sam McClain gave a powerful performance, and shared moving words with the audience of his own experience with homelessness as a young man. The talented nine-member musical ensemble played under the direction of composer Panagiotis Liaropoulos.

Give Us Your Poor is a national public education campaign aimed at ending homelessness in the U.S. It’s a cause close to Frangoulis’ heart. In 2007, he teamed up with Give Us Your Poor for a concert and compilation CD along with Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Bonnie Raitt and other artists.

Since exploding onto the global music scene in 2002, Frangoulis has released nine CD’s, including 2009’s “The Season of Love: Manos Hadjidakis.” He plans to release a follow-up album of the composer’s works, as well as an international album of his own in the fall of 2010.

Visit his website at: http://www.mariofrangoulis.com/