Georges Arvanitas
A longtime giant of the European jazz landscape, pianist Georges Arvanitas' graceful technique and effortless versatility made him a sought-after accompanist among American musicians touring France. Born June 13, 1931 in Marseilles, Arvanitas was the son of Greek immigrants hailing from Istanbul. He began classical piano studies at age four, but as a teen gravitated to jazz. At 18 he was called for military duty and stationed in Versailles. His proximity to Paris exposed Arvanitas to the city's thriving postwar jazz culture, and he moonlighted at clubs like Le Tabou and Les Trois Mailletz alongside American masters including Don Byas and Mezz Mezzrow. After completing his service, Arvanitas relocated permanently to Paris where he led the house band at the Club St. Germain before he graduated to the city's premier jazz venue, the legendary Blue Note. There he supported American stars like Dexter Gordon and Chet Baker, and as his profile grew, he also gained notoriety as a leader. He assembled bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Art Taylor to record 1963's 3 A.M., winner of the Prix Django Reinhardt and the Prix Jazz Hot.
Arvanitas spent half of 1965 in New York City collaborating with saxophonist Yusef Lateef and trumpeter Ted Curzon on the Blue Note label LP The Blue Thing and the New Thing. He returned stateside a year later, this time on a tour with trombonist Slide Hampton's big band. Arvanitas was also a respected session contributor; he earned the nickname "Georges Une Prise" ("One-take George") for his reliable efficiency and mastery. He was a particular favorite of the composer Michel Legrand and appeared on many of his soundtrack recordings. Arvanitas also played the memorable Hammond organ fills on Serge Gainsbourg's infamous 1969 pop hit "Je T'aime, Moi Non Plus." Arvanitas nevertheless remains best remembered for a series of LPs he cut with bassist Jacky Samson and drummer Charles Saudrais, a trio that endured from 1965 to 1993 (the 1968 album Space Ballad and 1976's Anniversary are particularly noteworthy). He was also the recipient of the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres award in 1985. Failing health forced Arvanitas to retire from music in 2003. He died in Paris on September 25, 2005.
© Jason Ankeny /TiVo
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Discography
16 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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The Georges Arvanitas Trio: 3 A.M. + Cocktail for Three
Jazz - Released by Jazz Maniac Records on 2 jun. 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Plays...George Gershwin
Jazz - Released by Djaz Records on 1 jan. 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Les liaisons dangereuses - la bride sur le cou - touchez pas au grisbi (Jazz at the movies - france - original soundtrack recording)
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Georges Arvanitas, Jean Wetzel, Jean Wiener Group
Jazz - Released by Soundtrack on 1 jan. 1960
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Three of Us
Georges Arvanitas, Charles Saudrais, Jacky Samson
Moderne jazz - Released by Saravah on 1 sep. 1991
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Georges Arvanitas Quintet Sessions 1960-1961. Soul Jazz
Pop - Released by Fresh Sound Records on 24 jun. 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tea For Two
Georges Arvanitas, David Murray
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on 1 mei 1990
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jeu de l'oie à travers Paris en chansons
Lisette Keray, Georges Arvanitas, Michel Gaudry, André Ceccarelli
Musicals - Released by Arion on 25 jun. 1971
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz stars séries : Paris jazz trio (Mono version)
Guy Lafitte, Christian Garros, Georges Arvanitas
Jazz - Released by BNF Collection on 1 jan. 1958
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Des femmes disparaissent (Jazz At The Movies - France - Original Soundtrack Album 1958)
Jazz - Released by Soundtrack on 1 jan. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Joue Charles Aznavour (Mono Version)
Franse chansons - Released by BNF Collection on 1 jan. 1958
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Piano Solo
Valto Laitinen, Gérard Gubisch, Georges Arvanitas
Jazz - Released by Patchwork on 21 sep. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Cocktail For Three At 3 Am (All Tracks Remastered)
Jazz - Released by jjjedizionimusicali on 3 mrt. 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Boom (Mono Version)
Jazz - Released by BNF Collection on 1 jan. 1958
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Three of Us
Georges Arvanitas, Charles Saudrais, Jacky Samson
Jazz - Released by Éditions Saravah on 1 sep. 1991
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo