Con Kalamaras, the name behind the weekly Rebetiko Jam at Triakosia restaurant every Wednesday said he has provided emerging and established musicians a platform to entertain audiences.
Kalamaras, started the group with Wayne Simmons in 2019 after he departed from the Melbourne Rebetiko Festival, and is now proud of spreading rebetiko music to mixed audience.
“We encouraged people from all backgrounds to participate in this weekly jam,” Kalamaras told Neos Kosmos.
“The jam has grown and the number of musicians participating are culturally diverse. The main participants are first and second-generation Greeks, but we’ve also seen an increase in non-Greeks participating.”
Kalamaras said that participants in the group range from as young as 10 to people in their late 60s, with various skills and training.
“Some of the musicians have had musical training, some have come from classical, there’s jazz musicians, and some contemporary musical. We’ve attracted musicians who know Greek music but haven’t delved into the old-school versions of the songs – which is what we do,” Kalamaras said.
The Melbourne artist said that the group worked on learning songs during the lockdowns, ensuring that the pandemic did not land a final blow on the Rebetiko Jam.
In the last four years, Kalamaras said that many musicians got involved with the group and nurtured their skills.
“Witnessing the growth in younger musicians has been the most rewarding, as it is seeing them practice amongst themselves and organise shows and performances.”
He also said that overseas based musicians like Fotis Vergopoulos who have been involved had a positive impact.
“Fotis joined us for a few of the Jams and a musician of that calibre has been a great for the participants.”
The group has gained further engagement from students, due to music teacher Nikos Kapralos who has come on board.
“Rebetiko music is going through a resurgence and has inspired a new generation of musicians to study, perform and record these works,” Kalamaras said.
The music was a shared interest with his late father, also a musician, born in the 1930s.
“This music was a common topic, we shared our passion for it and its significance in the cultural landscape of Greece and the diaspora.”
Rebetiko in its origins had an anti-establishment character that came from the Asia Minor refugees to Greece, and that is one reason Kalamaras believes the music still holds meaning to audiences.
“I think that the earlier recordings are relevant, and sure, the music is socially accepted today, but the earlier recordings are still as potent to the younger generations.”
The Rebetiko Jam co-founder pumped the venue which has housed them for four years.
“Rebetiko Jam was at another venue in Brunswick which changed hands but Triakosia welcomed us and have been lsupportive,” Kalamaras said.
The goal of the group is to provide a platform for anyone and everyone to learn about this style of music.
“The aim is to foster collaborations between musicians from Greece and locals; to encourage people to play and to inspire emerging generations. We promote artist development and offer participants the opportunity to perform live,” Kalamaras said.
