Theodoros Kekes

(1924–2007) | He was born in Kyani, Evros, into a family of musicians. His father introduced him to the gaida at the age of 7. At 16 he acquired his first gaida and began playing every Sunday in the village square, later performing at weddings and village festivals in the wider area.

In 1961 he moved to Athens, where he lived until 2002. At first he stopped playing, but Domna Samiou convinced him to take it up again. This led to a long-term collaboration with her in recordings and concerts. Throughout his career he performed Thracian music on radio, television, and in concerts both in Greece and abroad.

Songs

Records

Carnival songs with their ritual bawdiness – ‘sacred in the profane’ – disturbed the prudish devotees of tradition. The recordings come with a detailed booklet analysing the pagan and ritualistic context in which these songs are performed.
These “sacred in the profane” songs of the Carnival with their ritual bawdiness disturbed the prudish “devotees” of tradition. The records are accompanied by a detailed booklet analyzing the pagan and ritualistic context in which these songs are performed.
Akritic songs, which are perceived as the oldest examples of Greek popular poetry, are inspired by the legends of Akrites’ lives and their fights in defense of the eastern borders of the Byzantine Empire. The LP was recorded by the French Radio, published in Ocora series and distributed along with […]
One of Domna Samiou’s most characteristic LPs through which younger generations familiarized themselves with traditional folk music.
The first LP in Greece dedicated to caroling songs performed during the religious celebrations of the Twelve Nights and of Easter. The carols were recorded in many different areas of Greece performed by local musicians and singers, thus preserving all the distinguishing local patterns and characteristics.
A collection of 127 traditional songs and tunes from all over Greece that were first released on 45 rpm records between 1959 and 1969 under the direction and musical supervision of Domna Samiou. The collection was compiled and edited by Yiorgos Tsampras.
Releases on 45 rpm records, during the period 1959-1969, under the direction and musical supervision of Domna Samiou.
LP is dedicated to Greek instrumental folk music and especially to wind instruments such as the different types of pipes: flute, mandoura, gaida, pipiza, gavala.
This CD is a good companion to those who want to offer their children a hint of a different magical world.

Concerts

Invited by Lina Lalandi, founder of the English Bach Festival and clavichordist, Domna Samiou made five appearances in the festival, presenting, in what could be the first time, the authentic traditional music of Greece to the English audience.
In 1971, in the midst of the military Junta period in Greece, Dionysis Savvopoulos convinced Domna to sing at the club “Rodeo”. In the following years, she performed at “Kyttaro” and “Rizes”.