Close your eyes and let the ambiance of their music take you away into another dimension. Enter a world where old history & the modern age ignite to celebrate a blend of strings, horns and percussion. This is the way Elektra Kurtis and The Ensemble Elektra can be best described. Where else can you find a medley of funky grooves, beats and rhythms that can captivate any audience without saying a word?


Such an eclectic blend of sound will leave the listener in “awe”….as if some sort of trance has come upon them, tempting them, while allowing them to melt into every note of their performance. This is an ambiance that only true master musicians can create on stage.


Whether you are listening to their music or watching their visuals you can’t help but feel as if you are being whisked away to the Mediterranean islands and then quickly taken aback to an evening of jazz at a posh New York City nightclub.


It is here, where culture and the contemporary world collide to create an absolutely phenomenal showcase of talent. Original compositions seem never ending and flow from one emotion to another. Elektra Kurtis, composer and musician says it all with her name. She is truly “electrifying”! On stage, she loses herself in the violin and owns the instrument as if it were part of her being.


As the audience embraces Elektra, prepare to experience New York City’s finest ethnic musicians who bring with them their own unique style and passion for their work. Together they become one. Their explosion of music and energy on stage leave their spectators roaring with applause. BRAVO!


“Aphrodite’s Smile”, their latest cd will leave you breathless and wanting to hear more. You must experience the true talent of Elektra Kurtis and The Ensemble Elektra LIVE in order to really appreciate their brilliance. They are a kaleidoscope of sound that is seeing prestige and glamour knocking on their doorstep.


by Danie Cortese

For bookings please contact: Elektra Kurtis – Stewart Tel: 212.865.3542 Email: letaki@gowebway.com Website: www.elektrakurtis.com


THE MUSICIANS

Under the leadership of violinist, Elektra Kurtis, consists of some of the most innovative musicians from New York City's diverse cultural backgrounds. The music genre is World Jazz - a contemporary blend of jazz, rock and traditional music derived from Greek, and Mediterranean roots. The repertoire of original compositions and improvisation blends traditional Greek/Arabic modes and rhythms with jazz harmonies and driving bass lines.

Musicians: Elektra Kurtis - violin,   Lefteris Bournias - clarinet, Spiros Exaras - guitar, Brad Jones - bass, Reggie Nicholson - drums, Babatunde Don Eaton - percussion.

Lefteris Bournias is a clarinetist of Greek origin. He has been classically trained and has toured in the US, Greece, Australia, Canada, Latin America and Europe. His playing is diverse and combines elements of Greek folk, Gypsy, Middle Eastern and Western classical music Mr. Bournias has recorded with the group Café Aman America, He is the leader of Apollo’s Omogenia

Spiros Exaras is a guitarist and composer from Greece, where he has performed with the Greek National Radio and Television Orchestra (ERT) and the Orchestra of Colors, as well as worked with composers Kostas Hatzis and Elias Andreopoulos. Since his residency in the US Spiros has worked with composers Harvey Swartz, Bert DeCoteaux, members of Spyro Gyra, Shirley Bassey and Mariah Carey. Mr. Exaras credits include a CD released in Greece (MBI- 1993), a film score for a motion pictures “Everything for a Reason” (AFI Film Festival – 2000) and for a short film “Nikos Restaurant”. Spiros’ latest jazz CD includes elements of world music.

Brad Jones has been performing, composing and teaching music for nearly twenty years. In 1986 he joined the Jazz Passengers and in 1997 recorded and toured with them extensively in Europe and the US. Many of his compositions are featured in the band’s repertoire Brad was also a member of Elvin Jones’ band for two years. As a freelancer Brad has also worked with Muchal Richard Abrams. Henry Threadgill, Ornette Coleman, John Zorn, Carlos Garnett, and many others. He is a leader of Aka Alias, which in 1999 has released a CD “Uncivilized Poise” on Knitting Factory Works label, followed by two independent jazz CD releases of Brad Jones Quartet

Reggie Nicholson first gained his reputation as a drummer, percussionist and composer by excellence in his native Chicago. With his reputation well established, he moved to New York City in 1988 and has since then performed with some of the jazz world’s most revered artists, including Arthur Blythe, Billy Bang, Abdullah Ibrahim and Hammiett Bluiett. Among the numerous recordings on which he may be heard are some sessions with Amina Claudine Myers, Muchal Richard Abrams, Myra Melford, Roy Campbell, Edward Wilkerson, Henry Threadgill and Thomas Chapin.

Babatunde Don Eaton has performed among others with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Maurice Hines, Pattie Labelle and many more. He has recorded with many jazz and R&B artists such as Donald Brown, Joe Henderson, Tyron Jefferson and The Last Poets. Mr. Eaton has extensive knowledge of Afro Cuban folklore and music. Don Eaton’s performance credits include: the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, The State Theatre, Avery Fisher Hall, City Center, The Apollo Theatre, The House of Blues.