ELEKTRA KURTIS AND ENSEMBLE ELEKTRA: AFROdite's Smile

Elektra Kurtis and Ensemble Elektra

AFROdite's Smile

© 2005 Elektrarts (783707014807)

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This CD features original compositions and improvisations, blending traditional Greek/Arabic modes and rhythms with jazz harmonies and driving bass lines.

tracks

1 Basil
2 Waves
3 Saba Reggae
4 AFROdite's Smile
5 Taqsim Shawk Afza / Kalamatianos
6 Blue Sky in June
7 Mazarita, Alexandria
8 Taqsim Oushshak Masri
9 2002
10 Mix Time

notes

Violinist and composer of Greek origin, Elektra Kurtis-Stewart was raised in Poland. She graduated from the Warsaw Conservatory, and Finnish Sibelius Academy of Music in Helsinki.
She has performed throughout the US, Europe and Finland in numerous chamber ensembles, symphony orchestras, ethno-music ensembles (Greek and Gypsy music), including her own group, Ensemble Elektra, a world jazz improvisational ensemble. Some of the ensembles that Elektra has performed with include Warsaw Grand Opera Orchestra, "Yia Sou" (an improvisational World Music Ensemble), Connecticut Opera, Bronx and Brooklyn Philharmonic, New England Symphonic Ensemble.

Elektra performed in concerts, theatrical and television productions, radio broadcasts and recorded the music of notable Finnish composers such as Edward Vesala and Toni Edelman. She has worked with such stellar artists as Lester Bowie, Gerry Mulligan, Paquito d'Rivera, Lionel Hampton ,Shirley Horn, Ray Barreto, Max Roach, and the notable arabic music master Simon Shaheen. She toured with the legendary Cuban artist Israel "Cachao" Lopez, and performed the music of contemporary composers such as Anthony Davis, John Zorn, Akua Dixon and Carman Moore in venues such as the Knitting Factory, the Next Wave Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, Apollo Theatre. She has also been a member of a Greek traditional music group under the leadership of guitarist Vangelis Fampas, and appeared in the New York tri-state area with the New England Symphonic Ensemble, Hudson Valley, Greenwich, Longar Ensemble and Harlem Festival symphony orchestras. Elektra played in trombonist Craig Harris' jazz, hip-hop, rap, poetry and song project in Paris and participated in a performance in 1997 with Nona Hendrix and Erica Badu, among others. In 2002 /03 she appeared in concerts with Henry Threadgill's Aggregation Orb and Butch Morris' Skyscraper.
Most recently Elektra performed as guest artist with a world music group Drum Freaks in Warsaw, Poland.

Recordings include Steve Coleman's double CD Genesis &The Opening of the Way (BMG), and her own recording, Ensemble Elektra The Book of Time (Milo Records, 2000) and AFROdite's Smile (MR, 2004)

reviews

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  • Magnificent!!! This CD goes beyond extraordinary! "A great musical journey!"
    author: Alvin Alexander

    Magnificent!!! This CD goes wayyyy beyond extraordinary! It takes you on a great musical journey through the past, present & future, with blended music of Greece, Middle East, Latin & Hip Hop! Truly Fantastic! Elektra, you've got the "IT" factor!! Congrats!

  • kambodia133
    author: kambo

    kamboodiya giraw

  • kambodia133
    author: kambo

    kamboodiya giraw

  • Awesome!
    author: Gwen Laster

    Elektra's music is an awesome blend of Greek rhythms, Arabic melodies and funky feel. She is a unique artist and significant addition to the contemporary genre of improvising violinists.

  • This music is HOT and Exciting, Refreshing! I really enjoy it.
    author: Karen

    If you want to escape for just a fews minutes listen to Afrodite's Smile! It's evocative sounds makes you feel like dancing.

  • Afrodite's Smile will make more folks than Afrodite smile.
    author: Marc Estrin

    Afrodite's Smile will make more than Afrodite smile. With its wide variety of sounds and styles, seductive, irregular meters and unpredictable rhythms, plus the gorgeous playing of all concerned, it creates a head-wagging, foot-twitching, eyelids-closing aural feast which leaves this listener grinning ear to ear.

  • Salud' to great music!
    author: Eva

    Many many blessing for much success! The songs are great and may you continue a wonderful musical road.

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