Mikis Theodorakis and Greek jazz

A Jazz Library exhibit which is dedicated to the great Greek composer and musician Mikis Theodorakis, who died on Thursday the 2nd of September, 2021 at the age of 96 years old.

Mikis Theodorakis, one of the most important composers of the world music heritage, a political activist who fought uniquely for liberty, justice and human rights. His music was made known to the whole world and he had the privilege to experience recognition, love and admiration for his rich oeuvre while being alive.

Through this exhibit, we try to make a brief retrospective concerning the relation he had with jazz music and the Greek scene. Among the musicians of the Greek jazz scene who played with Mikis Theodorakis are Kostas Theodorou, Vasilis Rakopoulos and Lefteris Kordis.

In 2013 Dimitris Kalantzis released "Modes and Moods / Music by Mikis Theodorakis" an original tribute to the music of the great composer. Along with Dimitris Kalantzis, Takis Paterelis, Andreas Polyzogopoulos, Giorgos Georgiadis and Alexandros Drakos Ktistakis participated in the recording of "Modes and Moods". 

On the ocassion of the release of "Modes and Moods", Mikis Theodorakis had said to Kalantzis that it was one of the most emotional and fascinating moments of his life, when he heard the adaptation of his songs in jazz music. He completed, that from a very young age he had the chance and enjoyed listening everyday to well-known jazz discs, at a phonograph the had, which was rare at that time (the 20's). It was a music that had touched him deeply and for that reason he always wanted to know it more profoundly. But the circumstances at that time (in Greece there was war) did not allow it to happen and that is why jazz music felt like an uncompleted dream to him(in free translation from the article of Kostas Soforos on "Dromos", 11/03/2013.