BIOGRAPHY
Born and raised in Greece, Spiros studied clasical guitar and music composition at the Athens Conservatory of Music, where he obtained his master's degree.
A great explorer on his instrument, he always liked to perform different styles such as jazz, rock and world music. Spiros became the lead guitarist of numerous prominent composers and singers at an early age. He has performed and recorded with Evanthia Reboutsika, Mario Frangoulis, Kostas Hatjis, Elias Andriopoulos, Alkistis Protopsalti and Antonis Kaloyannis, among others.
Because of his versatility as a musician he was also hired to work with Symphonic Orchestras such as Orchestra of Colors and Greek National Radio & Television Orchestra (ERT), in several projects, while he was chosen to accompany the legendary singer Shirley Bassey in her debut performance at the Acropolis ancient theater (1990).
In 1992, Spiros releases his first solo album with MBI records. The same year he moves to New York to pursue his "jazz dream". Shortly he starts playing with the biggest names on New York's jazz scene such as Gerardo Velez, Philip Hamilton, Charles Blenzig, Mike Pope, Andy Middleton, Randy Brecker, Joel Rosenblatt, Jon Benitez, Tessa Souter, Mark Murphy and the Grammy winner Dave Valentin, to name just a few.
His name is growing and Mariah Carey is asking him to play a guitar solo on the multi-platinum single hit "My All" (Sony 1998).
Spiros keeps looking for new paths of expression and in 2000 he conceives a new genre in music. He combines jazz with Greek elements and he puts together for first time his world-jazz ensemble, comprised with some of the world's most renowned musicians such as Henry Hey, Matthew Garrison, Gene Lake, Arto Tuncboyaciyan and Lefteris Bournias. He releases his second CD and first a s a composer in 2003, under the prestige of the legendary Blue Note Records, in a big critical acclaim. The recording got very positive reviews and the compositions got the attention of a lot of radio producers which gave the band the opportunity to perform in various jazz festivals around the world.
Spiros composing credits include music for several movies and theatrical plays.
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MUSIC
DISCOGRAPHY
As A Leader
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Spiros Exaras World Jazz EnsembleBlue Note Records - 2003 -
Spiros Exaras Plays Kostas Atzis - 1992
In Compilations
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KOSMOS 93.6: Ethnic Collection - 2005Universal Music / MINOS EMI -
As A Producer
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Lina Orfanos: Enchanted Night - 2007Romanos Productions
As A Guest
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Mitch Zorba: Zorba - 2009Young Pals Music -
Richard Khuzami: Fused - 2006 -
Christie: Who Needs Love - 2005Romanos Productions -
Man-Yee Lam: Awakened to a Dream - 2000 -
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John Modinos: Our Roots - 1993 -
George Mouzakis-Lakis Lazopoulos: Eho Apopse Rendez-Vous - 1992
MUSIC
world – jazz ensemble
The Spiros Exaras World-Jazz Ensemble is a six piece band which blends jazz with the exotic rhythms, melodies and instruments of Greece. The "Greek-jazz" band consists of some of the world's renowned musicians such as pianist Hery Hey, bassist Matt Garrison, drummer Gene Lake, percussionist vocalist Arto Tuncboyaciyan and clarinetist Lefteris Bournias.
Under the direction of guitarist Spiros Exaras the band has created "Phrygianics", a rich mixture of
syncopated rhythms,jazz melodies and unique arrangements, all come together to make the hypnotic groove of this CD.
"Phrygianics" has been released world wide with the legendary Blue Note Records (2003) and got the attention of a lot of radio producers and festivals. "This album succeds in achieving that special blend from modern to traditional,playful to somber and Eastern to Western,that so many musicians in the past have failed at", as Joshua Kline wrote in his "Jazz Review" magazine review.
Spiros Exaras has studied clasical guitar and composition at the Athens Conservatory of Athens. He has been playing professionally since his 16th year of age. While in Greece,Spiros was the lead guitarist of the "National Greek Radio and Television Orchestra" (ERT) and had perfomed several times with the "Orchestra of Colors". At the same time he was the guitar choice of acclaimed composers such as Elias Andriopoulos, Evanthia Reboutsika and Kostas Hatzis. He released his first CD in collaboration with Kostas Hatzis entitled "Kostas Hatzis for clasical guitar" (MBI 1992).
Since he relocated to the US, in 1992 Spiros soon became "the new kid in town", performing in the hottest clubs of New York City and brought a new sound with a compination of clasical, jazz and Greek music. He has worked with some of the world's most pre-eminent musicians such as Shirley Bassey, Randy Brecker, Harvey S, Joel Rosenblatt, Mike Pope, Jon Benitez, Richie Morales and Philip Hamilton to name just a few. He recently shared the stage with the Grammy Award Winner Mr Dave Valentin.
He crossed over into pop music by playing the guitar solo on Mariah Carey's smash hit "My All" (Sony Music 1998).
Spiros has also composed music for the feature film "Everything for a Reason" (2000), the short film "Niko's Restaurant" (2001) and the theatrical play "Gallathea" (2002).
The Spiros Exaras World-Jazz Ensemble is lately touring around the world while is preparing its new CD soon to be released.
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MUSIC
music for film & theater
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Everything for a Reason - 2000
AFI international film festival 2000
Directed by Vlas Parlapanides
Produced by Larry Meistrich
"music by Spiros Exaras combines Old World favorites with original pieces, adding a dose of authentic Greek spice throughout..."
Variety Magazine November 6-12, 2000
Niko's Restaurant - 2001
Written & directed by Efterpi Charalambidis
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Gallathea - 2002
Written by John Lyly
Directed by Tim Browning
IMAGES
