George Papavgeris

Born in Greece, George first ventured into Europe for studies and later as part of his work, moving between the UK and the Netherlands.  All along he kept his ears open to the variety of sounds and musical traditions.  Already a fan of mediaeval European, Byzantine, traditional Balkan, Middle Eastern and Latin American music, he fell in love with British traditional folk music in 1973.  Add his love for the blues, ragtime as well as the sounds of his generation (Beatles to Queen and Black Crows) and you have quite a mix.

Life went on moving George around and he played in a traditional trio in the UK (Cosmopolitans), sang in Byzantine and other choirs, in a scratch band (Drosophila Melanogastris), did floorspots in clubs, and generally kept his hand in somehow.

Then in April 2001, virtually out of nowhere, he wrote a song, and then another. And then they became a flood, 50 in the first year, 110+ to date. More importantly, the songs were attracting lots of positive comment, and recognised artists were asking to sing them.  George’s first two albums of self-penned material were released in late 2002; the third one in March 2003; and the fourth in March 2004; the fifth one is scheduled for release in October 2004.

Artists that have requested Georges songs to sing and/or record, include Andy Irvine, Vin Garbutt, Roy Bailey, Martyn Wyndham-Read, Cloudstreet, Johnny Collins, Graeme Knights, Cockersdale, Joe Stead etc. 

George’s songs are also aired regularly at 7-8 BBC local radio stations from Shropshire to Manchester, Suffolk and the Home Counties.  Although his availability for performances is naturally limited by his main employment, he has already performed in his own right in more than 40 venues and festivals around the UK, and also opportunistically in South Africa and Australia; and he has supported major artists like Eric Bogle, Vin Garbutt and Pete Atkin.