TORA COLLECTIVE

LP/CD/DL

BASSIST/COMPOSER PETROS KLAMPANIS LOOKS TO PAST AND FUTURE AS HE

TRANSFORMS TRADITIONAL GREEK MUSIC WITH TORA COLLECTIVE

Best Traditional Ethnic Music prize in the quarterly German Record Critics' Award  (May 2023) 

Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik

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"Klampanis cuts the Gordian knot of Greek/jazz synthesis by making an end run around it. On Tora Collective he offers poised, yet heartfelt music characterized by seriousness of purpose and a dignified austerity that would not be out of place in a Euripidean tragedy."

4/5 ★★★★ AllAboutJazz

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The bringing together of Grecian and other international folk and jazz talents succeeds with aplomb, thanks to the sensitive craftsmanship of all the artists and their informed authenticity as they treat these traditional songs with just the right balance of respect and innovation.

4/5 ★★★★ DOWNBEAT

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”Exciting.”  

4.5/5 ★★★★✬ ​ | Album of the Month (March 2023)

AUDIO.DE Magazine, DE

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Klampanis and his group blend melodies and themes from Greek folklore with contemporary jazz, executing them with perfect nuance and balance. This results in a true fusion that preserves the charming and emotionally evocative qualities of Southeast European folk songs.

4/5 ★★★★ JAZZTHETIK 

“A remarkably graceful and very physical music.” 

SWR Kultur, DE

”If you try to decipher the intricate counting mechanisms that emerge from this fusion, you'll find yourself lost in thought. But if you simply allow yourself to experience it, you'll be able to sway along effortlessly to the emotionally rich, light and transparent music, which offers ample opportunities to appreciate the subtleties in its nuances.” 

BR Klassik, DE

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”The result is a fresh and exciting musical fusion that bridges the gap between the old and the new, and showcases Klampanis' exceptional musicianship and creativity.” 

JazzThing, DE

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Unique instrumentation bridges Greek folkloric and modern jazz worlds, with Klampanis (bass, artistic direction), Areti Ketime (vocals), Thomas Konstantinou (oud, laouto), Giorgos Kotsinis (clarinet), Kristjan Randalu (piano), Ziv Ravitz (drums, electronics, co-production)

and more.

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•••

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Released by Enja/Yellowbird.

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Following up his acclaimed recent outings Rooftop Stories and Irrationalities, bassist and composer Petros Klampanis creates one of his most inventive musical settings to date with Tora Collective, his sixth album as a leader.  For Klampanis, who grew up in Athens, Greece surrounded by the confluence of Mediterranean and Balkan folk cultures, making music has always meant navigating cultural crossroads.

With Tora Collective (“Tora”=“Now”) he puts traditional Greek music at the centre, even as he presents it from a bold new angle.

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Areti Ketime - voice

Thomas Konstantinou - oud, laouto, voice 

Giorgos Kotsinis - clarinet

Kristjan Randalu - piano

Ziv Ravitz - drums

Petros Klampanis - upright bass

Guests:

Alexandros Arkadopoulos - clarinet (3)

Laura Robles - cajon (5)

Andreas Polyzogopoulos - trumpet (7)

Sebastian Studnitzky - trumpet (10)

Produced by Petros Klampanis 

Co-produced by Ziv Ravitz