SYN…PHONIA Band, a New York City based Greek-American group, has earned a reputation as the ultimate choice for extraordinary Greek musical performance and entertainment.
The Band was created in 2002 by a pair of outstanding talents, Aphrodite Daniel, daughter of famed Greek band leader Mike Daniel, and Panos Chrysovergis, an accomplished classical/ contemporary pianist from Athens, Greece. While complimenting each other’s artistic styles, they formed a Greek band with a classic/contemporary manner and presentation that was unique to Greek entertainment. In just a few years their audience grew as they now command a strong presence in the Greek-American music scene.
Panos earned his degree from the “Odeion” National Music Conservatory of Athens in Classical Piano Performance. For a period of seven years he performed under the direction of composer/pianist Yiannis Spanos during his live concert performances as well as at the musical stage “Odos Aristotelous”. Over the years in Athens, Panos worked as musical director and pianist for concerts and live radio/television programming for acclaimed Greek artists such as Vicky Mosholiou, Tzeni Vanou, Manolis Mitsias, Lakis Lazopoulos, Angelos and Stelios Dionysiou, Lakis Pappas, Lizetta Nikolaou, , Kaiti Homata , Giorgos Mouzakis, Sperantza Vrana etc.
Aphrodite, a New York City native and daughter of the famed and beloved Greek band leader Mike Daniel, graduated Queens College with a MA. In 1983, she formed Daniel Entertainment Inc., a Greek concert promotion company that for 15 years produced North American tours for popular Greek artists. It was during these years that Aphrodite was educated and inspired by the highly acclaimed contemporary Greek vocalists Haris Alexiou, Yiannis Parios, Anna Vissy, Dimitra Galani, Gregoris Bithikotsis, Mairi Linda, Nikos Nomikos, Elpida and others.
When she was only 23, Aphrodite released her first recorded selection of original songs entitled, “Horis agapi pou tha pas” (where will you go without love), featuring original songs by the contemporary composers Antonis Vardis, Thanasis Polikandriotis and a local lyricist Stelios Ioannides.
Of her experience in the Greek music business, Aphrodite says: “It’s been a wonderful ride so far ….I feel blessed in that I get to do what I love in the company of the most phenomenal talents….” When asked about the status of today’s Greek music, she goes on to say that “I find it sad and unjust that a social de-sensitization by the Greek media and music industries have destroyed the borders between …inept, undeserving ‘artists’ and qualified, dignified performers.”
The band also includes Takis Elenis (formerly of the famed Trio Bel Canto), Panagiotis Andreou (recently voted “best Latin Jazz Bassist in New York” by a prestigious music magazine), Nikos Manioudakis, Engin Gunaydin (Berkley School of Music) and the virtuoso clarinetist from The Julliard’s School of Music Ismail Lumanovsky.
The band specializes in performances for Weddings, Baptism celebrations, Award Dinners, Annual Organization Galas (AHEPA, the Archons, the Cyprus Federation of America, Pangregorian Enterprises are some of their clients) to the most intimate of family celebrations. “We still receive compliments on how amazing this band was and how much fun everyone had at our wedding. The dancing was nonstop as their energy and enthusiasm filled the dance floor,” says a happy bride. “Aphrodite and Panos are simpy the best!”
A unique and distinctive concert presentation is also an option that is ideal for any organization or Church fund-raising event. The next of these concerts is planned for May 7, 2011 by the Connecticut Chapter of AHEPA. For information on the concert and anything regarding the Syn…Phonia Band the number is (646) 623-0270 and their website www.syn-phonia.com
