| DISCOGRAPHY MARIA MARKESINI |
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"The Mimis Plessas songbook - 12 sketches"‘Jazz & Jazz’ Music Magazine It is common knowledge that there have been numerous cover versions of Mimis Plessas’ songs. One more arrangement would seem indifferent to the listeners, if nothing new was to be offered. That is, the collaborating singers, musicians, etc. not attempting to give a different “feel”, which would be compatible with the original (i.e. neither “pioneering”, nor “superficial” compared to the original version). For example, how could it be possible to arrange the song “An s’ arnitho”, in such a way as to remind us the version performed by Tzeni Vanou or Kostas Hatzis and not be completely far from it, while at the same time not resembling at all the “dozens” of versions performed by singers in ‘bouzoukia - halls’ and ‘taverns’. Well, the Dutch Bart De Win, The Vaste Mannen, Jurriaan Berger Quartet along with Maria Markesini (of Greek origin) managed all three. This is true, not only in their arrangement of “An s’ arnitho”, but also to any of Plessas’ songs they attempted to arrange. “12 Sketches, The Mimis Plessas Songbook” [Artway – Technotropon, 2007] is a tribute- album to a Great Greek composer, since it is the very work, which was missing from his discography, up until today. It is, apparently, a work which is delivered by some “foreign” musicians and not by some exquisite fellow-country men, who only know of “bouzoukia”… as famous Greek actress Vlahopoulou would have commented. (There is nothing wrong with the specific musical instrument (Bouzouki), apart from its use… in “consumer” entertainment). It is noticeable, that in the “Dutch” album, even when the use of a… hollowed, oriental, stringed musical instrument is called for, the Divan Sazi rather than the Bouzouki is preferred. This shows the degree of disdain towards the Bouzouki. Splendid…! The Dutch prove themselves to be much more than worthy musicians and pretty able in cover versions. Without being bothered and dragged by the Greek residues, they viewed Plessas’ work in such a way, that they would probably have viewed Harold Arlen’s or Oscar Hammerstein’s works. Educated, experienced, imaginative musicians approached a series of songs, making them sound like “legends”. Some of them are made of this material. It just… used to be dark. Now, it is shown. The song “Stagona, stagona” (lyrics: I. Lymperopoulou, Jenny Vanou), “Vrohoula” (lyrics: Kostas Pretenteris, Nana Mouschouri) with the crooner style vocals by Bart De Win, «La Fenetre» (lyrics: Reti Zalokosta, Nana Mouschouri) with the Vaste Mannen perfect orchestric “spread”, «I Agapi mas» (lyrics: Kostas Pretenteris, Jenny Vanou and Yiovanna) the perfect melody, a piece, which Markesini makes it sound like… all three of Norah Jones’ albums put together. Finally, the song “An s’ arnitho” (lyrics: Danae, original performance by Fotis Dimas), which does not last for a minute and a half, but for 3’ and 33’’, and is “brazilianised” in scat by de Win and Markesini, thus acquiring another dimension. In this chapter, titled ‘vocal jazz’ or ‘jazz song’, call it what you like, the Greek / Dutch “12 Sketches”, is a project which can stand anywhere. Fontas Trousas ------------------------------------------ Macedonia Newspaper – Sunday 24/2/2008 Maria Markesini: “Plessas was and remained a jazz musician”The jazz side of Mimis Plessas’ songs is revealed in a surprise-album, which comes from the Netherlands and Maria Markesini (a Greek musician who lives and creates in Rotterdam). Interview by Kostas Marinos The name of the composer Mimis Plessas is widely known. The song titles, included in the album “The Mimis Plessas songbook” ,which was released a few weeks ago, are also well known. We all whispered the songs “Agalma” (“The Statue”), “Enas Ouranos” (“A Sky”) or “Tha Pio Apopse To Feggari” (“Tonight, I’ll drink the Moon”). For sure, we haven’t heard these songs the way Maria Markesini performs them. The use of Latin characters in writing Markesini’s name in a Greek text is not a sign of bragging, which is common practice by many contemporary Greek singers. The reasons are much simpler. The album- of the Artway – Technotropon / Polytropon company- was recorded in Amsterdam, with the collaboration of two significant Dutch bands. Most importantly: Maria Markesini lives and works in Rotterdam for years. She sent a true gift from over there to Mimis Plessas, as well as to the rest of us who knew these songs and are able to listen to them once again, fresh and free of the burden of so many past performances- others good, while others less good… JAZZ ROOTS IN GREECE AS WELL “First of all, I am a classical musician and interested in the classical piano”, Maria Markesini states for the ‘Technes’ column of the “Makedonia tis Kyriakis” paper, on a telephone interview about her work. “When I decided to turn to jazz, some people that are knowledgeable of jazz music told me that in contemporary European jazz we do not search for the American roots, but for the European roots. Therefore, they’ve asked me to search for the roots of my country”. This advice was the beginning of a journey that brought her back to her country, to meet composers and compositions that would open the way she was looking for. Finally, three or four years ago she found her guide in the face of Mimis Plessas. “I knew very little of his work, since we only listened to classical music at home. When I met him, through common friends, I loved the man as well as his music. This is how this collaboration started. The most important thing is that Mimis Plessas trusted me and gave me complete freedom to do whatever I wanted based on his compositions. He also told me something that moved me: “I will give you compositions, which I’ve never given to any other performer”, Maria Markesini remembers. In their first meetings, the Greek composer performed his songs on the piano, while she listened and recorded. “Plessas sang the arias for me in a broken voice, while I was recording using a small tape- recorder”. Arias? Yes, arias, since very few people remember that Plessas is not only a popular hit composer that we know from the Greek cinema. “VERY POWERFUL MELODIES” Maria Markesini presented all of the material which she collected to the Dutch musicians she was to collaborate with. Between them was Bart De Win, who teaches at the Dutch Music Academy, as well as the pianist and orchestrator Jurriaan Berger. “Plessas may be a familiar name to us Greeks. We may know his songs, and unfortunately, sometimes, in bad arrangements. But, the Dutch musicians as soon as they listened to the songs told me they were really powerful melodies”. That’s when the search of the style, which the singer and the musicians wished for, began. “We didn’t want to place some jazz rhythms in Plessas’ old ideas, instead we wanted to see what the music was, what it meant to communicate, to take this to the next level”. The issue was how the composer would view their trials. “When I presented him the first drafts, he told me ‘my child, this is what I wanted to do back then, but…’ You know, Plessas in America was very into jazz, but upon his return to Greece circumstances were different and he had to turn to folk music. But, he was and remained a jazz musician”. WITH A “FRESH EAR” The songs, in their new and fresh form, were favored by the audience as well, which had the chance to listen to them at Maria Markesini’s concerts along with the Dutch musicians that took place in Athens and Kastro, Antirrio. Their diverse performance reveals the essence of the music. The singer, becoming acquainted with the famous melodies with a “fresh ear”, becomes herself tender and fumy, erotic and earthly, while singing either solo or- in two of the songs- in a duet with Bart De Win. Sometimes, she performs in a theatrical style, but without letting the theatricality become an end in itself. Now, Maria Markesini is getting ready for one more trip to the US, where she is about to record one more album in collaboration with important contributors. She is also preparing a series of concerts in Europe. We wish she would make a stop at Thessaloniki. She would like this as well. Who could invite her, so that we could enjoy her performances live on stage?
...................................... "Kosmo"
QUOTES FROM REVIEWS SINCE CD PRESENTATION IN AMSTERDAM 14 OCTOBER 2009
Her warm voice is intriguing without being intrusive: a beautiful timbre, a natural swing. This is an incredible album from a singer who can draw from a very diverse repertoire. She makes connections between pieces that are actually in marked contrast. Man gave names to the animals by Bob Dylan has of course absolutely nothing to do with a French classic like C’est si bon; just as Moody’s jazz classic Mood for love bears no relationship to the Greek Na vro ekeinon. But it seems as though they have all been written for this production - so much so that as a listener it almost takes your breath away. Ton Ouwehand, Tubantia Pers
A completely new genre. Maria Markesini has recorded an album with Richard Bona, Bert van den Brink, Mehmet Polat, Clemens van der Feen and Jasper van Hulten that draws its inspiration from pop, jazz and world music. With a voice in a thousand, impeccable diction and text interpretation, Markesini has with Kosmo not only created a splendid album, but at the same time a new genre. And that in itself is an achievement.
Maria Markesini is both vocally and instrumentally extraordinarily fascinating, not least through her expressiveness and performance. Her voice has a very wide and exciting range of tonal colours and is intriguing. We are transported from a very soft breeze almost immediately to a fierce wind. Her moving You're the sun renders the audience so quiet you could hear a pin drop. But as the last notes fade away, they erupt into enthusiastic applause. This is a moment that is to occur more often this evening. Didie van Tol, Theater en musical Paradijs
Maria Markesini sings with great ease in a variety of styles. Her articulation is exemplary and her singing completely natural. The texts of the Greek songs (Richard Bona sings in Greek!) are translated into English in the booklet. Instrumentally there is a prominent role for Van den Brink. With her direct and elegant singing, Maria Markesini will capture a great many hearts in the theatres in which she is soon to perform. Peter J. Korten, JazzFlits
A CD from the Greek jazz diva has appeared under the title ‘KOSMO’. Maria Markesini must stand an excellent chance of reaching the international top. Her interpretation of Moodie’s Mood for Love is among the best of all times. The version by composer James Moody will, with all respect, have to take a step back. With her diction, timing, delivery and timbre the international top must be within her reach. Jaap Ludeke, Jazzflits / DownBeat
Every once in a while a CD comes along that pleasantly surprises you. Maria Markesini has a very solid background: she studied piano at the conservatories of Pete A.Sanders jr, Paravisie
Maria Markesini is a Greek vocalist living in the Netherlands She is really a classical pianist but is now setting out in a new direction. Markesini has a voice in a thousand and, maybe what is even more important, a delivery and presence that is compelling. She sings duets with giants like pianist Bert van den Brink and bass player/singer Richard Bona, which showcases her talent even more. What else can I say: a unique and wonderfully clear album that was recorded live. Ruud Meijer, Revolver
I have seldom experienced such an overwhelming first impression from a newcomer, and in the area of vocals at that, where it is already extremely difficult to rise above the rest or at any rate to be or sound different and not merely run of the mill. It is precisely her diversity that is her great strength! She keeps you on the edge of your seat. Concert jazzfestival programmer
Anyone not familiar with the Greek Maria Markesini will not easily forget her after listening to her second album. This singer and pianist has a classical background. She is a very competent vocalist: with a beautiful, clear voice, she sings with passion and has a wide range and strong articulation. What is most unusual is the guest appearance of Richard Bona, who even learned Greek for a duet with Maria. Angelique van Os,
It is her beauty and especially her presence that catches you off guard and simply compels you to watch. One minute she’s standing behind the microphone, the next both singing and playing one of the two large grand pianos that dominate the small stage, and then performing a number on her knees. She can do anything with her beautiful voice, which is as clear as a bell: sing in Greek, English, French; pop, jazz, chansons or folksongs. She is a classical pianist: you become aware of that from the intensity of her playing and her total absorption in the duet with Bert van den Brink. But what she is wearing is not at all what you would expect: a catsuit with gold-coloured sandals and a gold-coloured jacket. D.L.de Boer, CultuurPodium
The Greek Maria Markesini has played the piano since she was five and she studied classical piano at the Rotterdam Conservatory with Daniel Wayenberg. Although a successful career as a solo pianist lay ahead of her, Maria decided otherwise. Her secret passion was singing jazz among other things and that urge became so great that she decided to do something with it. Maria’s creative voyage of discovery eventually led to the album ‘Kosmo’, on which she received the support of greats like Richard Bona and Bert van den Brink. Two things immediately strike you when you listen to her: Maria is a fantastic singer, and her talent is certainly not limited to jazz. On this very successful album she proves that she is equally at home in folk, chansons and pop. An absolute must. Mania Amsterdam
She is known to be an excellent pianist in the classical genre. In 1993 she gained her diploma as a concert pianist. As the result of an injury, however, she decided to start singing during a concert. This manoeuvre produced an enthusiastic reaction from the audience. Her new CD ‘Kosmo’ was recently presented in the Concertgebouw. With a tremendous stage presence, she sings equally well in all fields: jazz, gospel, chansons, Greek songs. Her new CD reflects that broad view beyond a shadow of a doubt. When making her CD Maria Markesini has allowed her background in classical music to really shine through. Coen de Jonge, Luister
Bert van den Brink began the shared concert with singer/pianist Maria Markesini on Friday 23 October by playing solo. He can easily captivate an audience for a whole evening on his own. But Markesini was also on the programme. When she picked up the microphone, an extraordinary chemistry was created. Then followed a lot of music from her recently published CD KOSMO. Van den Brink and Markesini played a couple of pieces on two grand pianos. I feel, however, that Markesini was at her best when she was accompanied, in this way achieving a deeper intensity. Peter J. Korten, JazzFlits
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