Born in 1945 in Kinidaros, Naxos, one of the most important violinists of Greek traditional music, especially that of the Aegean. He began playing the violin at the age of 13, already participating in the musical events of his village. His first lessons were with Stamatis Bardanis in Apeiranthos, where he learned the basic pieces of the island repertoire. When he moved to Athens in 1959, he studied at the Athens Conservatoire with Iosif and Eleni Boustindui.
Between 1968 and 1976 he lived with his family in Australia. Earlier, he had been a key collaborator of Simon Karas in his radio broadcasts, as well as of Anna Karabesini in her recordings. He worked with most island singers and was among the musicians who shaped the modern sound of Aegean music.
In 1995 he recorded three personal albums. Throughout his long career he participated in approximately four to five thousand recordings, a number that places him among the most prolific Greek musicians.
Father of musician Vangelis Koukoularis and singer Niki Koukoulari.
Source: folkradio.gr (accessed 2025)
