Dervisia
Dervisia:
Jan Verdonk (bouzouki, vocals)
Alexandros Kyrkos (guitar and vocals).
We play Rebetika and Smyrnaiika songs from the beginning of the past century, with authentic sound.
Rebetika songs are the 'Greek blues' and were developed the beginning of the previous century in Greek urban centres all around the Aegean sea. They were associated with a marginal bohemian subculture and it took time until they came up ground, as the lyrics are often related to underground issues like drug use and jail culture.
Smyrna is a city at the east coast of the Aegean sea and was an important Greek cultural centre until 1912. A cosmopolitan air and an authentic musical fusion of oriental elements with western music and Byzantium traditions.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Jan Verdonk is an old fanatic of rebetika since the 1980's. He speaks Greek as he is a translator of poetry and produced lectures and a book about rebetika. He played bouzouki, baglama, guitar and ud in 10 bands like Mikateladokratis, Rast, Rebetiki Parea, Gelgit, Beatriki, Psefti Dounia etc. and got to knew the leading Greek musicians. Towards 1997 he toured 10 years with a band also called Dervisia like this present group.
Alexandros Kyrkos is a relatively newcomer enthusiast rebetika guitarist. However he carries the rebetika sounds in his cells due to his Greek origin and is familiar with the rhythms and harmonies involved. He is currently involved in several Greek and World music bands in the Netherlands.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
We started performing in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Anything else?
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