Arising from eclectic influences, this is original music for concentration, absorption and enjoyment. --London Jazz News
In the North is the third album by guitarist Tassos Spiliotopoulos and his first since his relocation from London to Stockholm. Originally from Athens, Greece, Tassos Spiliotopoulos spent the better part of twelve years living in London and establishing a solid reputation as one of the most exciting, up-and-coming guitarists in the UK Jazz scene. He worked with some of the country's most celebrated jazz musicians including Kenny Wheeler, Gary Husband, Asaf Sirkis, John Parricelli, John Etheridge and appeared in several critically acclaimed albums while at the same time maintaining a busy international touring schedule both as sideman and as bandleader.
In 2013 after a period of introspection Spiliotopoulos felt it was time to move on. Having family ties to Sweden he decided to settle in Stockholm where, in his own words, “...the environment seemed right for reflection and exploration." But between the challenges of settling in a new country, world tours with the Asaf Sirkis Trio and producing for up and coming singer/songwriter Jenny Holmgren it would take Spiliotopoulos two years to return to recording as a bandleader. It was while taking part in a project called Tune-up Järva and meeting saxophonist Örjan Hultén and his trio that Spiliotopoulos developed the idea to record In the North “I was looking for a band to play with in Stockholm and when I met Örjan, Fredrik and the other guys we clicked instantly... I thought, here is a band I can really play with."
A few local gigs later the new quartet of Tassos Spiliotopoulos, Örjan Hultén, Palle Sollinger, Fredrik Rundqvist headed to Small House studios in Tyresö to record In the North. An album that Spiliotopoulos considers his best recorded work yet and one that confirms his reputation as one of the most accomplished guitarists of his generation and a musician that brings something truly new to the jazz table. As with previous Tassos Spiliotopoulos albums, the music builds on to the modern jazz idiom, but this time incorporates influences from Greek folk music, film music, flamenco, blues and fusion. “I never wanted to be a specialist in any one style of music—rather to let all the different influences blend into my own style." For all his technical prowess Spiliotopoulos never loses sight of what is important and allows the melodic and intimate elements of his music to bring the album together. The quartet interprets Spiliotopoulos’ compositions with grace and confidence while interplay and high energy improvisation is central to their performance.
Download a free track from In the North
In 2013 after a period of introspection Spiliotopoulos felt it was time to move on. Having family ties to Sweden he decided to settle in Stockholm where, in his own words, “...the environment seemed right for reflection and exploration." But between the challenges of settling in a new country, world tours with the Asaf Sirkis Trio and producing for up and coming singer/songwriter Jenny Holmgren it would take Spiliotopoulos two years to return to recording as a bandleader. It was while taking part in a project called Tune-up Järva and meeting saxophonist Örjan Hultén and his trio that Spiliotopoulos developed the idea to record In the North “I was looking for a band to play with in Stockholm and when I met Örjan, Fredrik and the other guys we clicked instantly... I thought, here is a band I can really play with."
A few local gigs later the new quartet of Tassos Spiliotopoulos, Örjan Hultén, Palle Sollinger, Fredrik Rundqvist headed to Small House studios in Tyresö to record In the North. An album that Spiliotopoulos considers his best recorded work yet and one that confirms his reputation as one of the most accomplished guitarists of his generation and a musician that brings something truly new to the jazz table. As with previous Tassos Spiliotopoulos albums, the music builds on to the modern jazz idiom, but this time incorporates influences from Greek folk music, film music, flamenco, blues and fusion. “I never wanted to be a specialist in any one style of music—rather to let all the different influences blend into my own style." For all his technical prowess Spiliotopoulos never loses sight of what is important and allows the melodic and intimate elements of his music to bring the album together. The quartet interprets Spiliotopoulos’ compositions with grace and confidence while interplay and high energy improvisation is central to their performance.
Download a free track from In the North
