GEORGES ARVANITAS
Genres: Cool Jazz, Hard Bop, Jazz Related Soundtracks, Latin Jazz, Soul Jazz, Post-Fusion Contemporary, Post Bop, Avant-Garde Jazz • France

French jazz pianist & organist, born June 13, 1931 in Marseille, France, died September 25, 2005 from discogs A longtime giant of the European jazz landscape, pianist Georges Arvanitas' graceful technique and effortless versatility made him a sought-after accompanist among American musicians touring France. Born June 13, 1931 in Marseilles, Arvanitas was the son of Greek immigrants hailing from Istanbul. He began classical piano studies at age four, but as a teen gravitated to jazz. At 18 he was called for military duty and stationed in Versailles. His proximity to Paris exposed Arvanitas to the city's thriving postwar jazz culture, and he moonlighted at clubs like Le Tabou and Les Trois Mailletz alongside American masters including Don Byas and Mezz Mezzrow. After completing his service, Arvanitas relocated permanently to Paris where he led the house band at the Club St. Germain before he graduated to the city's premier jazz venue, the legendary read more...