Billy Pod
He started playing drums at the age of 11. His musical studies include 6 years of classical piano and violin lessons. At the age of 18 he was accepted at the jazz department of the Ionian university of Corfu and 5 years later he got his Bachelor degree and later his Masters degree in jazz performance.
From 2009 he is one of the most active musicians in the Greek jazz scene collaborating and performing internationally at festivals and venues in Europe,USA and Asia. Tivon Pennicott, Jd Walter , Emmet Cohen ,Rufus Reid ,Bobby Sanabria ,Manfred Schoof ,Olivier Temime ,Timo Lassy ,Dean Bowman ,George Kontrafouris ,Takis Paterelis ,Vasilis Rakopoulos ,Dimos Dimitriadis ,Dimitri Vasilakis ,Vasilis Xenopoulos ,Nikolas Anadolis among others are some of his latest collaborations.
He is member of the band the Next Step Quintet (latest release feat.Tivon Pennicott).
His debut album as a leader 'Drums to heal society' is out in February 2019 by Puzzlemusik label.
Performance highlights:
-Pori Jazz Festival 2010
-IASJ International Meeting 2012 in Austria
-London Jazz Festival 2015
-Taichung Jazz Festival 2016
-Odessa Jazz Festival 2016
-Made in NY Jazz Gala 2016 (New York)
Awards:
1st place in the small band category at the International Made in NY jazz competition 2016.
Related Selected Discography:
-Βilly Pod , Drums to heal society ,2019 (ΤΒR ) (Puzzlemusik )
-The Next Step Quintet,The next step quintet 2013 (puzzlemusik)
-The Next Step Quintet feat.Tivon Pennicott, ll. 2015 (puzzlemusik)
-George Kontrafouris Baby trio, Urban Jazz , 2012 (Puzzlemusik)
-Vassilis Rakopoulos Quintet, Live at MIET ,2017
-George Kostopoulos, Last trip to the Moon, 2016
-Yiorgos Georgiadis ,Taksidi ,2017 (The lyst records)
-Ntinos Manos Quartet , After the storm , 2018 (Ankh records)
-Michalis Katachanas quartet ,Trito Chreos (TBR) 2018
-Dionisis Savopoulos,Eleni Vitali live Zontanoi sto Kyttaro 2016, (Feelgood Records)
Awards
Made in New York jazz competition 2016. 1st place in small band category with the Next Step Quintet, performing as an honour guest at the Tribeca Performing arts centre in New York.
Tags
December 05, 2022
Billy Pod Releases An Exciting New Album 'Quintessence'
February 08, 2019
Greek drummer and composer Billy Pod releases Drums to Heal Society on...
“This new artist to us at UK Vibe features a high calibre roster {...} As per any respectable bandleader, Vassilis Podaras is as comfortable in the background as he is in the foreground... There’s a community spirit here.” Damien Wilkes ,UK vibe
"... finds his own balance through uncomplicated structures and persuasive aesthetics that facilitate the listening." Filipe Frietas , Jazz Trail
Photos
Album Discography
Drums to heal society
From: Drums To Heal SocietyBy Billy Pod