Mediterranean Sea: What comes to mind when you see these words? What images or memories linger in your thoughts? We all have a connection to the Mediterranean Sea in some way that brings back images of memories of home, or desires of vacation, family, and friends. It also brings music to our ears. It brings us those favorite songs of ours that we so closely relate with good times in the past or even good times to come in the future.
by Peter Douskalis
When I think of Mediterranean music many artists and groups come to mind. Let me introduce you to Tango Mediterraneo. Consisting of Stratos Achlatis (vocals and accordion), George Kostopoulos (double-bass), Gökçe Erem (violin), and Yago Vasquez (piano), Tango Mediterraneo brings us a breath of that fresh mediterranean air we oh so love to breathe. Beautiful blends of Greek, Turkish, and Spanish heritages have merged into this new tango ensemble in a way that only New York City can do. The groups musicians are studied, profound, and extremely talented. They are influenced by Carls Gardel, Juan d’Arienzo, Francisco Canaro, and many more great artists of their genre. The influence can certainly be heard in their style and as tango music should do...it makes me want to dance!
It is a skill to be able to play any form of music on any instrument. It is a trade to be able to arrange that music into a piece. It is further an art to take that style of music and blend it with the arranging qualities of another all the while staying true to your own heritage. Tango Mediterraneo emotes every note with purposeful meaning and they do it (as it would appear) quite effortlessly. As a jazz musician myself I must admit that it is sometimes quite frustrating how a genre of music has gone from such a fruitful and emotive era where every listener could enjoy and identify to an era of the conoisseur and elite. Tango Mediterraneo doesn’t have that quality. They have talented musicians that can stand to the best and are as versitile as any.
The group will be performing on December 23rd, 8:00PM at the SOMETHIN’ Jazz Club in Manhattan. That do quite a beautiful rendition of the romantic tango «A Media Luz» that you can hear online. Check out their facebook and have a listen: http://www.reverbnation.com/tangomediterraneony/
Remember as always, you can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/peterdguitar for updates of music news and fresh sounds from around the world. You can also check my website www.peterdouskalis.com
