DEMETRIS TASHIE

Demetri's love of Greek music and dance began at a very early age. As an adult, he developed a passion for the folk music, rituals, costumes, and crafts associated with the varied village cultures of rural Greece.

His love for the unusual has led him to find teachers both here and abroad.
He has studied with Emmanuel Farangkoulitakis "Bakses" in Crete, with Kiril Ketev (gaida) here as well as in Bulgaria, Tzamaros Larantzakis (laouto) in Kythnos, Christos Karakostas (zurna), Beth Bahia Cohen (yayli tanbur), and George Chitenden (gaida and zurna).

He currently plays regularly with Beth Bahia Cohen (music from the Islands, Western Pontos, Asia Minor, and more), with Jerry Kisslinger and Matt Moran (zurna and daouli), and with Abdul Rahim Saidita (classical music of Istanbul, Asia Minor, and Arabic music).

Demetri has an extensive folk instrument collection, with a varied representation of tsambounas, as well as many chanters for askomandoura (bagpipe from Crete), all intricately carved. Many zurnas, from diverse places throughout Greece and beyond, as well as many folk flogeras (flutes), and gaidas round out his collection. He has given, and is available for, lecture demonstrations of the various folk instruments used in Greek folk music.

His collection of authentic costumes is currently under evaluation for sale to interested parties.
All enquiries are welcome.

«Playing under the full moon, by a fire, around which friends are dancing ecstatically. What could be better on this sweet earth of ours?»

Please contact him at tdemetri@hotmail.com