Georges Arvanitas

A longtime giant from the Euro jazz landscaping, pianist Georges Arvanitas’ graceful technique and effortless versatility produced him a sought-after accompanist among American music artists touring France. Created June 13, 1931 in Marseilles, Arvanitas was the boy of Greek immigrants hailing from Istanbul. He started classical piano research at age group four, but as a teenager gravitated to jazz. At 18 he was needed military responsibility and stationed in Versailles. His closeness to Paris revealed Arvanitas towards the city’s flourishing postwar jazz tradition, and he moonlighted at night clubs like Le Tabou and Les Trois Mailletz alongside American experts including Don Byas and Mezz Mezzrow. After completing his services, Arvanitas relocated completely to Paris where he led the home band in the Golf club St. Germain before he graduated towards the city’s leading jazz location, the famous Blue Notice. There he backed American celebrities like Dexter Gordon and Chet Baker, so that as his profile grew, he also obtained notoriety like a innovator. He constructed bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Artwork Taylor to record 1963’s 3 A.M., champion from the Prix Django Reinhardt as well as the Prix Jazz Hot. Arvanitas spent half of 1965 in NEW YORK collaborating with saxophonist Yusef Lateef and trumpeter Ted Curzon within the Blue Take note label LP The Blue Thing and the brand new Thing. He came back stateside a yr later, this time around on the tour with trombonist Slip Hampton’s big music group. Arvanitas was also a well known program contributor; he gained the nickname “Georges Une Prise” (“One-take George”) for his dependable effectiveness and mastery. He was a specific favorite from the composer Michel Legrand and made an appearance on a lot of his soundtrack recordings. Arvanitas also performed the unforgettable Hammond body organ fills on Serge Gainsbourg’s infamous 1969 pop strike “Je T’aime, Moi Non Plus.” Arvanitas however remains best kept in mind for some LPs he lower with bassist Jacky Samson and drummer Charles Saudrais, a trio that endured from 1965 to 1993 (the 1968 recording Space Ballad and 1976’s Wedding anniversary are especially noteworthy). He was also the receiver of the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres award in 1985. Faltering health pressured Arvanitas to retire from music in 2003. He passed away in Paris on Sept 25, 2005.