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
Artistas semelhantes
Discografia
9 álbum(ns) • Ordenado por Mais vendidos
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The Georges Arvanitas Trio: 3 A.M. + Cocktail for Three
Jazz - Lançado por Jazz Maniac Records em 2 de jun. de 2017
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Plays...George Gershwin
Jazz - Lançado por Djaz Records em 1 de jan. de 1994
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Hammond Organ
Jazz - Lançado por Blue Cat em 1 de jan. de 2007
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bird of Paradise
Jazz - Lançado por Blue Cat em 1 de jan. de 2007
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Georges Arvanitas Quintet Sessions 1960-1961. Soul Jazz
Pop - Lançado por Fresh Sound Records em 24 de jun. de 2018
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tea For Two
Georges Arvanitas, David Murray
Jazz - Lançado por Fresh Sound Records em 1 de mai. de 1990
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jeu de l'oie à travers Paris en chansons
Lisette Keray, Georges Arvanitas, Michel Gaudry, André Ceccarelli
Musical Theatre - Lançado por Arion em 25 de jun. de 1971
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Piano Solo
Valto Laitinen, Gérard Gubisch, Georges Arvanitas
Jazz - Lançado por Patchwork em 21 de set. de 2022
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Three of Us
Georges Arvanitas, Charles Saudrais, Jacky Samson
Jazz - Lançado por Editions Saravah em 1 de set. de 1991
A discografia ideal da QobuzQualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo