Spiros Exaras Releases Christmas Wish with the Magic of Christmas!

Internationally acclaimed jazz artist Spiros Exaras brought joy to the world with his first ever original holiday single, The Magic of Christmas, released on December 1st, 2021.

Known for his impressive fusion of different musical elements, notably in his Greek- Cuban collaboration with Elio Villafranca, “Old Waters New River” and in his signature Blue Note album “Phrygianics,” Spiros Exaras unites a stellar team of New York based musicians to share these two world-class pieces.

In the title track, The Magic of Christmas, Spiros’ resonant guitar sound meets with Don Braden’s distinctive sax, and Eugene Ruffolo’s smooth vocals to create what sounds like a future Christmas classic. The idea of this song arose when Spiros’ daughter was studying abroad and was unable to join the family in decorating the Christmas tree. With love and imagination, Spiros and Ileana decided to co-write a song expressing the holiday cheer that magically unites people, no matter the distance.

A jolly journey of two solos is followed by a line in Spiros Exaras’ native language, Greek. “Ding, dong! Christougenna pantou,’” (Christmas is everywhere), wishing a Merry Christmas from his home to the world. Indeed, The Magic of Christmas knows no borders.

The second track, Christmas Wish, also with lyrics by Ileana Exaras, is a heartfelt song about lending a hand to children who are less fortunate. It is a wish for a world where holiday joy is not a privilege for the few, but can spread to all people. Amanda Homi’s soulful voice along with Caryl Paisner’s stunning cello interpretation blend with Spiros’ dynamic arrangement to create a song that is both touching and hopeful.

The ‘Magic of Christmas’ is a joyful sleigh ride, a cheerful stroll through a sparkling city, and gift of heartwarming melodies that once opened, will bring smiles to all its listeners.

Of Exaras’s work, Al Di Meola says, “The sophistication and eloquence one can hear makes it clear to me that Spiros Exaras’s way of executing guitar is compelling and beautiful.”

A graduate of the Athens Conservatory of Music with degrees in classical guitar and composition, Spiros Exaras is an internationally acclaimed musician, regarded as a master of fusing musical cultures. In his native Greece, Spiros has been a featured player with the Greek National Radio Television Orchestra (ERT), the Orchestra of Colors, Kamerata Symphony Orchestra, as well as working with such acclaimed composers and singers as Yannis Markopoulos, Mario Frangoulis, Alkistis Protopsalti, Evanthia Reboutsika, Elias Andriopoulos, Petros Gaitanos and Kostas Hatzis.

Photo by Ilir Rizaj

Internationally, Spiros has played with such artists as Shirley Bassey, Randy Brecker, Jon Benitez, Hernan Romero, Matt Garrison, Ray Vega, Tessa Souter, J.D. Walter, and Joel Rosenblatt as well as Grammy Award-winners, Dave Valentin, Gerardo Velez and Arturo O’Farrill.

Exaras also played the searing guitar solo on Mariah Carey’s platinum hit, “My All.”

His film and theater scoring includes Everything For a Reason, Niko’s Restaurant, Just Cause, the plays Gallathea, and The Hand And Hen, in addition to numerous commercials.