In balance with the previous festivals, the artistic scheduling of Sani Festival 2016 continues to focus on jazz, classical music and Greek‘entechni’ (artistic) music, which have stamped a specific mark upon the institution. However, this year’s 24th edition of Sani Festival is seeking to expand the artistic limits between searching and reconnecting.
In this context, in its quest for British ‘diamonds’ hailing from different musical backgrounds, it will be hosting the one and only appearance by the precocious and internationally acclaimed British composer, soul singer and actress Joss Stone on 29 July. With pristine vocal expression, Stone emotionally bridges soul, blues and reggae music.
Friends of classical music will have the opportunity to enjoy a live performance by the world-renowned British virtuoso violinist Daniel Hope on 13 August, who will narrate to us the story of the violin and its breakthrough during the Baroque period, a story based on his award-winning work for the renowned Deutsche Grammophon label. He will be accompanied by the AIR ensemble, consisting of exceptional Baroque music soloists, including Simos Papanas, the award-winning Thessaloniki musician with an international career as a baroque violin soloist, and concertmaster of Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra.
This year’s ‘Jazz on the Hill’ section will focus on virtuoso pianists. The 24th Festival’s curtain raiser will feature a highly promising pianist, a true revelation from Germany, who has stirred international interest and has won the respect of critics and audiences alike: Michael Wollnywill appear for one night only in Greece on 8 July and will introduce us to his trio through his night-time musical wanderings.
This year, it will reconnect with the charismatic pianist Yaron Herman, whom it had first presented in Greece during Sani Festival 2009 as a rising star, whose talent and passion for jazz piano swiftly highlighted him as one of the greatest musicians of his generation. Yaron Herman will return to Sani Festival on 9 July as the artistic director of the Montreux Jazz Academy.
The tribute to jazz pianists will end on 23 July with the spotlight falling on the Japanese multi-faceted musical personality of Hiromi, one of the most profound and creative figures of 21st-century music. With her growth propelled by her continuously expanding talents as pianist, composer and bandleader, she has discovered and is advocating her own musical genre, which is characterised by sensitivity, energy and staggering virtuosity. During her live performances, she is accompanied by acclaimed musicians, such as the legendary drummer Simon Phillips and the exceptional double bassist Anthony Jackson, making musical history in the process.
The section focusing on Greek entechni music, titled Greek Variations, will feature the one-of-a-kind Dionyssis Savvopoulos, accompanied by the great, undimmed voice of Greek popular song, Eleni Vitali, for a single concert on 16 July. A ‘theatre’ of songs, with the seal of a beloved songwriter, written as only he knows how, entertaining us through a historically important musical collaboration.
This musical rainbow featuring the colours of Greece could not be complete without Alkistis Protopsalti, one of the most beloved Greek performers, renowned for her ‘Doric’ and tender voice, her singular expression and her unique stage presence that rouses audiences throughout the globe. The public will have the opportunity to enjoy her on 5 August during a programme that will include poetry by Nobel prize-winner Odysseas Elytis set to music, modern Greek compositions and her finest songs with added rock touches, songs that fill the soul”.
For further information, please visit www.sanifestival.gr
