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Michalis Kouloumis is one of the most important world music violinists specialized in Eastern Mediterranean Music (Greek Traditional, Cyprus Traditional), Ottoman Classical Music, and Modal Music. He is widely appreciated for his improvisational skills in "taksims" and the use of special techniques, such as diplochordo and overtones in his playing. He is based in London.
Michalis Kouloumis has recently released his debut album "SOIL," a unique aesthetic approach to Cypriot traditional music, with improvisations (taksims) and colorful soundscapes. He is currently performing with the "Michalis Kouloumis Trio," a new project which includes traditional music from Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, and the Balkans, blended with their own material, soulful improvisations, and plenty of experimentation. He is also a member of the "Lingua Franca Ensemble," along with Michalis Cholevas on tarhu, Giannis Koutis on oud and voice, and Ruven Ruppik on percussions. The ensemble creates and performs music with respect to the character of the modal music cultures, and they are about to release their album "Ephemera." Michalis Kouloumis is also giving duet concerts with the multi-instrumentalist Efren Lopez and tours with Cigdem Aslan and her band.
In the past, Michalis Kouloumis has collaborated and performed with some of the foremost representatives of the World music scene: Nana Mouskouri, Gabriel Yared, Kudsi Ergüner, Sokratis Sinopoulos, Çiğdem Aslan, Keyvan Chemirani, Efren Lopez, Zohar Fresco, Manos Achalinotopoulos, En Chordais, Chronis Aidonides, the Karapatakis-Takoushis quartet, Savvas Savva, and many others.
Michalis Kouloumis is often invited to lead workshops and seminars on violin modal improvisation and violin playing styles of Eastern Mediterranean Music (at SOAS University, Avgo Music Village, Codarts University, The London Fiddle Convention). He is also a guest professor on violin and modal improvisation at Rotterdam Conservatoire since 2013.
Michalis Kouloumis has recently released his debut album "SOIL," a unique aesthetic approach to Cypriot traditional music, with improvisations (taksims) and colorful soundscapes. He is currently performing with the "Michalis Kouloumis Trio," a new project which includes traditional music from Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, and the Balkans, blended with their own material, soulful improvisations, and plenty of experimentation. He is also a member of the "Lingua Franca Ensemble," along with Michalis Cholevas on tarhu, Giannis Koutis on oud and voice, and Ruven Ruppik on percussions. The ensemble creates and performs music with respect to the character of the modal music cultures, and they are about to release their album "Ephemera." Michalis Kouloumis is also giving duet concerts with the multi-instrumentalist Efren Lopez and tours with Cigdem Aslan and her band.
In the past, Michalis Kouloumis has collaborated and performed with some of the foremost representatives of the World music scene: Nana Mouskouri, Gabriel Yared, Kudsi Ergüner, Sokratis Sinopoulos, Çiğdem Aslan, Keyvan Chemirani, Efren Lopez, Zohar Fresco, Manos Achalinotopoulos, En Chordais, Chronis Aidonides, the Karapatakis-Takoushis quartet, Savvas Savva, and many others.
Michalis Kouloumis is often invited to lead workshops and seminars on violin modal improvisation and violin playing styles of Eastern Mediterranean Music (at SOAS University, Avgo Music Village, Codarts University, The London Fiddle Convention). He is also a guest professor on violin and modal improvisation at Rotterdam Conservatoire since 2013.
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