Valia Calda

+ Churchill Jazz Band

Music Centre,

Churchill College

£5

 

Valia Calda is a project founded in London by brothers Thodoris & Nikos Ziarkas. A project that fulfils their shared passion for composing and performing music that is inspired by the Greek Folk tradition, whilst drawing influences from a vast variety of styles.

 

Their involvement with the Greek traditional music from an early age, followed by their interest in contemporary music has created the urge to combine into their music Mediterranean sounds, Jazz harmonies, complex Balkan rhythms and free improvisation.

 

The diversity of rhythmic language, improvisations, and sounds that is brought into compositions, alongside with experimental arrangements of Greek folk tunes merges the group’s material. Each member embraces the material with a unique approach and creativity exploring new sonic possibilities and always expanding the group’s musical boundaries. 

 

Valia Calda was recently invited to appear on the BBC Proms Plus Late series in September 2014, an event that was be recorded and broadcasted by Radio 3. The band’s debut EP was released in November 2014 as an independent production followed by a tour in Greece and multiple appearances in London.

The band is currently working on releasing videos and working on material of the upcoming album which will be recorded in autumn 2015.

 

Rob Milne - bass clarinet
Sam Warner - trumpet/flugelhorn
Nikos Ziarkas - guitar/electronics
Thodoris Ziarkas - double bass
Gaspar Sena - drums

 

Churchill Jazz Band will warm up the evening with some big tunes before the main performance from Valia Calda at 8pm.