Xanthi Mavri

‘What was special about the rembetika song was the combination of the traditional musical forms of the eastern Mediterranean and the words of the songs, which dealt with the life of the urban underworld and the less reputable elements of society.’ (Gail Hols, The Road to Rembetika) A Greek vocalist, Xanthi Mavri, will show us the way to Rembetika. She will be accompanied by the extra- ordinary Athenian musicians, Vasilis Papakostas (buzuki) and Thanasis Farris (accordion). She will intertwine her performance with the works of contemporary Greek composers such as Teodorakis, Hadžidakis and Ksarkahos, and also Greek folk, and especially songs from the islands.
Between ‘68 and ‘72 Xanthi Mavri performed in many well-known music centres. She stayed longest with the Heavenly Park (To Perivoli t’ Ouranou), where the best quality folk songs could be heard. Later on, in the centre of Athens, she opened a tavern called ‘At Xanthi’ in a little corner, hidden away from the eyes of tourists. Soon, artists and people engaged in culture began to gather there. In the evening, Xanthi would cook delicious Greek dishes, and then appear on stage. Often she was accompanied by a group called the Retrogard Company, which soon offered some of the best interpretations of rembetika. For two evenings Xanthi Mavri will fill the intimate atmosphere of Gajo Jazz Club with a smell of the sea?

Accompanied by: Vasilis Papakostas (buzuki) & Thanasis Farris (harmonika)

In collaboration with: Jazz Club Gajo; Supported by the Embassy of Greece (Ljubljana) & the Greek Tourist Organisation.