G. Kokkinaris - Touch - Improvised Performance for Solo Double Bass
Channel: George Kokkinaris
Date: 17/05/2019

full performance November 2018 @KET - Athens.Greece
George Kokkinaris - double bass, paper, voices
Christos Britoo - Sound Recording/Mixing (AUX studio)
Christos Kapatos - Video/Editing/Recording

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“Traffic was interrupted /Trains were delayed”
Suicide on the rail tracks
Indignation... waste of time


"Great artist dies in old age"
Mourning across the country
Grief spreads, and contemplation
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The value of human life has changed. Together, art and its role. Our offer to music draws out a different character. From the task of responding to the questions of society, it is transformed into a "high risk" effort.

One, a risk because the artistic effort may not meet the criteria and needs of the creator, and two, in case of the human senses discouraging the minimal active acceptance of our concept.

In our times of crisis, fear and individuality are imposed, thus exacerbating the risks for improvisational music (of any kind). The satisfaction of immediate need, now, without bother or thought, predominates. The poet is suppressed to superficial relaxation and not to individual and collective thinking.
Under these circumstances, direct contact with the world was chosen. Creating relationships with the rest of the world through free improvisation.

"Freedom" of direct composition highlights elements of the personality and emotional intelligence of the artist. The process for both the artist and their audience hides risk since the result of psychological introspection either crashes the conceptual image of "I" or verifies the actual image proving the existence of pure thought. Consistency and honesty with oneself is transformed into a thin red line which on one hand leads to destruction and on the other, to peaceful coexistence.

The album reminds us to be in touch with ourselves and with others, it reminds us of the risk that is hidden in the process ... redemption or fall.

The tracks were recorded in two sections, in studio sessions of three consecutive hours each. 20-25 pieces came to be; eight of them were chosen and given to listen to people close to us or associates, who were called upon to name the impressions and feelings the pieces provoked.
Apart from mixing, no over dubs were made and no electronic means (effects/ pedals/ looper) or music sheets/guides were used. The album’s covers were created by the artist himself in an attempt to regain the emotional value of music records and the artistic efforts of musicians.

For the years yet to come...