With his new album “Amerika”, Dimitris Mystakidis not only delves into the rebetiko music of last century’s 20’s and 30’s. He also raises issues that are surprisingly still relevant a hundred years later. Dimitri subtly interprets texts written by the Greeks who migrated to the United States. He sings about the difficulties during the journey, their arrival and homesickness. Rebetiko met Afro-American blues over a hundred years ago, inspiring musicians to finger-pick and giving rise to “Tsibiti” guitar-playing. The concert will be backed by film footage dating from that period.
For more than ten years now, Dimitris Mystakidis has been playing rebetiko with his guitar instead of the traditional bouzouki. However, his refreshing guitar arrangements leave the roots of rebetiko music intact. After many years playing with different groups, Dimitris now offers a solo programme filled with emotions and virtuosity.
The 7th edition of the World Music Chain, Dick Van Der Harst and Tristan Driessens is cancelled due to medical reasons.
Dimitris Mystakidis: guitar, vocals