Stefanos Vartanis

(1922–1988) | He was born in Smyrna and, following the expulsion of the Asia Minor Greeks, settled with his family first in Piraeus and later in Menidi. He grew up in a musical environment, as his father played and crafted ouds, deeply influencing him with the sounds of Smyrna.

He studied violin and early on developed a style shaped by the musical traditions of Asia Minor and Byzantine chant. During the Occupation, he worked as a musician in the cabarets of Piraeus, and later became an important folk violinist, composer, and creator within the rebetiko and laiko genres.

He collaborated with leading figures of Greek traditional music, such as Simon Karas and Domna Samiou, with whom he took part in concerts and events in Greece and abroad. His discography included both solo albums and numerous contributions to recordings of acclaimed artists.

He died in Athens in 1988, leaving behind a significant legacy in the folk and Asia Minor musical tradition.


Source: Domna Samiou Archive

Songs

May

Records

Reissue of the Caprice album “Grekisk folkmusik” (Ξενιτεμένο μου πουλí) on a CD with 9 extra tracks, and a comprehensively informative booklet about Greek folk music and the woman behind this production – Domna Samiou.
The first LP by the state-run ‘Concerts Sweden Rikskonserter’ produced with non-Swedish musicians. Domna Samiou was chosen for her valuable contribution to traditional Greek folk music.
Domna’s first work for children came as a fulfilment of her constant aspiration to bring traditional folk songs closer to children –especially those living in the cities. Some of these sixteen traditional songs, with their ‘easy’ melodies, uplifting rhythms and amusing lyrics, were anyway sung by children –like ‘Perperouna’, ‘Chelidonisma’, […]

Concerts

Performances with legendary shadow theatre artist Evgenios Spatharis, from Stockholm to the sidewalks of Marousi.