Cretan music has experienced a resurgence recently, and few artists have contributed to this phenomenon more than Mihalis Tzouganakis.
A true ambassador of an age-old tradition, Tzouganakis is a child of the Greek diaspora. Born in Belgium, the eighth child of Cretan migrants, he grew along children of other immigrants − Belgians, Turks, Greeks, Polish, Egyptians, Italians − an experience that deeply affected his approach to music.
Discovered at the age of 13 by the great lyra player Leonidas Klados (and later mentored by Kostas Mountakis), the young musician (who had returned to Crete to pursue his interest in music), quickly became one of the most beloved and widely-acclaimed lute players of his generation, but his aspirations were not limited to this. At the age of 15 he took on lute, oud, saz, boulgari, mandolin, cumbus, lyra and at 17 he started singing lessons, at the National Conservatory of Athens, for two years.
This was the beginning of a fruitful career, which has seen him form his own band and collaborate with some of the most important Greek singers and composers, not least among them Nikos Mamangakis. Throughout the years, Tzouganakis has managed to build a large, devoted and diverse audience, gaining respect as a performer, a keeper of the flame of Cretan music, but also as an innovator of the genre.
Adding contemporary elements to the songs he interprets, he has brought about important variations to the Cretan traditional songs (mantinades), enriching them and showcasing different elements of the music.
A child of the diaspora, he has always sought any opportunity to give back to the Greeks abroad, touring around the world and performing in the US, Canada and Europe (notably Germany, where he has a large following).
He first visited Australia alongside Giorgos Dalaras, in 2010 and then came back in 2013, with Glykeria, but now he brings his band, which includes his son Alexandros on the lute (and augmented by one of the local heroes of Cretan music, Sifis Tourdalakis on the lyra).
Mihalis Tzouganakis’ concert has been organised by the Pancretan Association of Melbourne, and will take place on Friday 30 September at Stars International Receptions, 1C Bell Street, Preston. Ticket levels include $140 (Row 1 tables), $110 (Row 2 tables) and $90 (Row 3 tables). Doors open and food service will commence at 8.00 pm, with the show commencing at 9.30 pm. Drinks can be purchased at the bar.