Invisible Cities Amazonon

• 1 Montreux 02:45
• 2 Ravayah 07:13
• 3 Sacred Place 06:29
• 4 Karri 03:25
• 5 Patinada 07:18
• 6 Tsarka 03:43
• 7 Kanah 04:55
• 8 Claraboia 05:53
• Total Runtime 41:41

Info for Invisible Cities

With his ensemble Amazonon and the Gandhaya project, Juliano Abramovay is looking for a synthesis of Brazilian music and Mediterranean tradition. For Amazonon, he has put together a special ensemble with lyra, bass clarinet and percussion. The lilting-sounding lyra is also known as 'kemenche' and is a string instrument that is mainly found in Greece and Turkey. A line-up that results in a unique group sound, which cannot be compared to anything else. The name Amazonon simultaneously refers to Greek mythology and the Amazon rainforest.

The album is a fine mix of original pieces and repertoire by leading composers of today: John Zorn, Ralph Towner, Rabih Abou Khalil and the Greek Chrysanthi Gkika. The title 'Invisible Cities' refers to the book of the same name by Italo Calvino, in which, among other things, an imaginary meeting takes place between world traveller Marco Polo and the Mongolian ruler Dzhengis Kahn. A historical moment in which east and west came together.

This connecting vision can be found in Amazonon's music, which is never obtrusive but constantly gives the listener space. "Listen to the sounds you hear and let your thoughts run free," says Juliano Abramovay. "For me it was also extra special to find a moment for my music in the time of the Corona pandemic, when everything seemed to stand still. I hope that we can give many concerts with this programme and offer listeners a contemplative moment. Finally, I am also very proud of the beautiful artwork of our album, created by Brazilian artist Maria Cau Levy."

Juliano Abramovay, artistic direction, guitar, oud, fretless guitar
Chrysanti Gkika, lyra, soprano lyra
Massimiliano Dosoli, bass clarinet
Daniel de Boer, double bass, electric bass
Jacobus Thiele, percussion

Juliano Abramovay
is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. While studying classical guitar at São Paulo's Municipal School of Music with Paulo Porto Alegre and Daniel Murray, Juliano began to branch out from traditional guitar technique mastering fretless guitar, baglama and oud, as well as researching traditional music from Greece and Turkey. He completed his musical studies with a master at Codarts - University for the Arts (Netherlands), under supervision of Kudsi Erguner and Michalis Cholevas.

After an intense period of studying, Juliano created projects that merge the melodic richness of the Eastern Mediterranean traditional music with his background as a Brazilian musician, with the projects Amazononm and Magma Project. He has worked as an organizer for the popular music series Winter Festival of Campos do Jordão and helps to run the label and arts collective Selo Risco. Also an active educator, Juliano recently taught at a multidisciplinary art program that works with youth in underserved São Paulo’s neigborhoods. He has also worked extensively as composer and performer for dance (with Morena Nascimento), theatre (with Martha Kiss), cinema (for Fernando Meirelles) and circus (with Sophia Oltmanns).

He aims to merge the melodic richness of the Eastern Mediterranean traditional music with his background as a Brazilian musician.

This album contains no booklet.