Urban Trio feat. Andreas Polyzogopoulos

Each time the trumpet of Andreas Polyzogopoulos meets the sounds of Andreas Rodosthenous, Giorgos Morfitis and Stelios Xydias, the result is a concert full of colours and memories, with strong emotional moments balancing between nostalgia and passion. Using their personal sound and a unique way of expression, the four musicians perform compositions of the bass player Andreas Rodosthenous, as well as original pieces from Andreas Polyzogopoulos’ personal albums. Their music is formed through the long performance experience and experimentation and the multiple influences of all four musicians.

The Urban Trio was formed 3 years ago with Giorgos Morfitis on the piano and Stelios Xydias on the drums. The band got invited to prestigious festivals like, EUNIC jazz festival in Berlin and Technopolis jazz festival in Athens. They recorded their first personal works titled “Simplicity” with Alkis Agathokleous on the Ney, who then continued performing with them. Now, with Andreas Polyzogopoulos on the trumpet, they perform tunes from the cd of Andreas Polizogopoulos titled “Annica” and the music of Andreas Rodosthenous and the Urban Trio, as well as new pieces. Together they follow a more modern way of expressing their music.

Andreas Polyzogopoulos is one of the most eminent young musicians of the Greek jazz scene and he is performing extensively with different bands in many European countries. He first got involved in music by studying guitar at the age of ten in Samiko, a small village in South-West Greece where he was born. At sixteen he moves to Athens and starts participating in rock and blues bands but soon he discovers jazz. He studies jazz guitar with Yiotis Samaras at Philipos Nakas Conservatory and in 2000 picks up the trumpet. In October 2002 he moves to the Netherlands and studies at the Conservatorium Van Amsterdam. He also takes lessons from Markus Stockhausen and Angelo Verploegen and follows a workshop with Paolo Fresu in Sardegna. While studying in Amsterdam he plays with various multi-ethnic groups and in 2006 he forms “Poly Quartet”, a group that performs his own compositions. In 2008, the band records the album “Perfumed Dreams” and wins the first place in “Motives for Jazz” competition in Belgium. The same year he graduates from Conservatorium van Amsterdam and returns to Greece. He appears on 45 records, has performed all over Greece and Europe and in 2010 was a member of the European Youth Jazz Orchestra. In 2013 he recorded a Cd with songs of his favourite rock band and all-time inspiration Pink Floyd (Heart of The Sun - The music of Pink Floyd) and toured around Europe and in New York city. Andreas colaborated with Tore Brunborg, Michel Portal, Gunter Baby Zomer, Markus Stockhausen, Tony Lakatos, Psarantonis, Savina Yannatou, Maria Farantouri, Dulce Pontes, Serge Teyssot Gay (Noir Desires), Anne Paceo, Kostas Theodorou, Yiorgos Kontrafouris, Mode Plagal, Nikos Sidirokastritis, Yiotis Kiourtsoglou, David Lynch, Stavros Lantsias, Haig Yazdjan, Vangelis Katsoulis, Takis Barberis, Thanasis Papakonstantinou among others. In 2014 Andreas brings a new band together playing his newest compositions. The record released in 2015 is called “Anicca” and the Mediterranean sound is more present in the sound of the band.

Andreas Polyzogopoulos: trumpet
Andreas Rodosthenous: bass
Giorgos Morfitis: piano
Stelios Xydias: drums