penny muse band
Mediterranean Jazz and Greek Folklore
N E W E P K V I D E O
"The Crossroads Project: Mediterranean Jazz"
A spiritual journey through sound, word, image, and dance
Greetings from Penny Muse!
PENNY MUSE BAND
Led by vocalist Panayota Haloulakou and pianist Lefteris Kordis, the Penny Muse Band is a unique band that bridges Greek folklore with jazz and chamber music and improvisation.
The band performs original compositions by the two artists and arrangements of favorite Greek art and folk songs.
Penny Muse Band members include:
Edmar Colón on saxophones
Lefteris Bournias on Greek folk clarinet
Roni Eytan on harmonica
Faris Ishaq and Haris Labrakis on ney
Bruno Raberg, James Dale, and Noam Tanzer on acoustic bass
Bertram Lehmann on drums/percussions
Eviatar Slivnik on drums.
We also collaborate with phenomenal Greek folk singer Panayotis Lalezas and Wyoma, a soulful dance performance artist.
The band aspires to take the listener on a spiritual journey through the powerful means of sound . word . dance . image.
Artwork by Spyridoula Zahou
WATCH
VIDEO 1: Full Concert at Berklee College of Music
"The Crossroads Project: Mediterranean Jazz"
VIDEO 2: "Nyhterides ke Arahnes" (Bats & Spiders)
music:Christos Nikolopoulos//arr.:Lefteris Kordis
VIDEO 3: "To Veggaliko" (Fireworks)
music:Panayota Haloulakou//poem:Odysseus Elytis)
VIDEO 4: "Selibeis"//Greek Folk
UPCOMING SHOWS
April 23, 2020
Hellenic Cultural Center
Lowell, MA
8pm
"New Homeland of Mine"
A Greek concert with Penny Muse Band
Celebrating:
Lowell, MA & Kalamata, Greece
to become Sister Cities
$30 at door, $25 in advance
April 4, 2020
Maliotis Cultural Center
Brookline, MA
8pm
Nikos Kouroupakis & Penny Muse Band featuring the Maliotis Greek Choir
A concert
$30/$15(student)
February 7, 2020
Greek Consulate of Boston
Boston, MA
6pm
Celebrating Greek Language
A lecture by Prof. Nagy
and a concert by
Penny Muse Quartet
Original compositions
based on Greek poems
PAST SHOWS
December 8, 2019
2nd Annual Greek Festival @
Maliotis Cultural Center
Brookline, MA
4-6:30pm
Penny Muse Duo
Short set with originals &
arrangements of Greek songs
October 24, 2019
David Friend Recital Hall
@ Berklee College of Music
Boston, MA
7:30-8:30pm
Penny Muse Quintet
The "Crossroads" Project:
Mediterranean Jazz
Free admission
July 10, 2019
The Chios Mastic Museum
Chios, Greece
9pm
Penny Muse Quartet featuring Roni Eytan and Lefteris Bournias
The "Crossroads" Project
June 5, 2019
LilyPad
Cambridge, MA
8:30pm
Penny Muse Band w/guest singer Panayotis Lalezas
"East Meets West"
Arrangements of Greek songs and Originals
May 4, 2019
Maliotis Cultural Center
Brookline, MA
7:30pm
Penny Muse Sextet with Wyoma
Crossroads Project 2
Concert
January 18, 2019
Athan's Bakery
Brighton, MA
8pm
$15
Penny Muse Trio
w/Lefteris Bournias on clarinets
Arrangements of Greek songs
and Originals
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Listen to a sample (5:23)
TESTIMONIALS
"I hired the Penny Muse Band on behalf of the organization, Alpha Omega Council, for our 2016 Christmas dinner party. From day one, both Panayota and Lefteris were very responsive and accommodating, from the contract that had to be signed to our set-up requirements and music preferences. On the day of the event, they arrived and set up promptly, putting me at ease with their professionalism. They started the program with easy listening Greek tunes and impressed everyone with their artistic talents, be it voices, instruments or stage presence. As the evening progressed Panayota's voice added a special warmth to the festive activities while Lefteris was in total command both as a keyboard player and a band leader. They performed from a wide range of Greek repertoire and I noticed that many people were singing along while others got up to dance. It is apparent to me that Penny Muse is an ensemble of fine musicians and one of the best that our area has to offer. I highly recommend them and look forward to seeing them and enjoying their music in the near future".
-~ Makis E., Brookline MA
"I love the Penny Muse Band! I have fallen in love with them ever since I went to their jazz show a few years ago at the Beehive in Boston.
As a musician myself, I was first of all, blown away by their level of artistry- Panayota's command and poise as a vocalist is so powerful, with such tremendous range of expression which compliments so well Lefteris at the keyboard- who seems to create endless soundscapes of dazzling beauty uncannily matching Panayota's every breath and mood; together, they transport us into a night of enchantment and entertainment captivating our attention with ever changing mood, styles, and vision. As a duo and band, they are so tightly in sync, yet at the same time contrast from each other as performers, artists, and styles, it's the perfect blend of contrast and balance. Lastly but not least, we are so fortunate to be able to enjoy the magic of two great artists coming together to deliver performances of the highest caliber. You can't beat that!!!"
-- Sarah Infini Takagi; musician, performing artist, faculty at the New England Conservatory of Music
"Listening to Panayota, Lefteris and their band perform is a rite of passage into my Greek roots and identity. Their music is a public celebration of life itself and about all that was, is, and will always be Greek. And it gets even better: their jazz performance is as compelling! One cannot help but join in the singing, the laughter, the tears, the trials and tribulations, and the joys of existence, all deeply reflected in the songs and music that the band chooses to play. Thank you for all the music!"
-~ Myrto K.
"Listening to singer Panayota Haloulakou with pianist, arranger and composer Lefteris Kordis at Athan's Bakery in Brighton, I was inspired and impressed with the combination of sophisticated jazz arrangements and endearing greek folk music. Panayota's vocal and dynamic ranges and use of varying vocal timbres brought life and emotion to the music. Lefteris' pianist virtuosity and not only supported her singing, but provided an entertaining back and forth sharing of ideas and musical motives. Sitting in the audience, one feels their emotion!"
-- Susan Emmanouilidis
CONTACT PENNY MUSE
October 24, 2019
Penny Muse Band at Berklee College of Music
Penny Muse Band at Maliotis Cultural Center
October 24, 2019
Artwork by Spyridoula Zahou
Best wishes,
Penny Muse Band.