Steppin' Out Jazz Band: Tribute to Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington was the most important composer in the history of jazz as well as being a bandleader who held his large group together continuously for almost 50 years. The two aspects of his career were related; Ellington used his band as a musical laboratory for his new compositions and shaped his writing specifically to showcase the talents of his bandmembers, many of whom remained with him for long periods. Ellington also wrote film scores and stage musicals, and several of his instrumental works were adapted into songs that became standards. In addition to touring year in and year out, he recorded extensively, resulting in a gigantic body of work that was still being assessed a quarter century after his death. Ellington was noted for his inventive use of the orchestra, or big band, and for his eloquence and charisma. His repertoire includes classic standards such as It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing), Perdido, Satin Doll, In A Sentimental Mood, Take The ‘A’ Train and many more!

Join us on at the Technopolis 20 garden and enjoy the beloved and well-known Steppin' Out Jazz Band in a music tribute to the Duke Ellington Songbook, on Monday, 30th of September at 8pm.

Alice Ayvazian (voice), Dimitris Miaris (piano), Costas Challoumas (double bass) and Marios Spyrou (drums)

Entrance: 15 euro 

Tickers available online: https://www.technopolis20.com/event-details/steppin-out-jazz-band-tribute-to-duke-ellington

Info: 70002420

Technopolis 20 celebrates 10 years of creativity, a decade of events, and a vibrant presence in the artistic scene of Paphos and beyond!

With the arrival of summer, our concerts will come alive in the enchanting setting of our garden. As part of our 10-year celebration, we've curated a diverse programme that showcases talented musicians across various genres, instruments, and styles. Enjoy jazz, ethnic or fusion music, a rock band, or a traditional ensemble under the starry sky until October.

This year marks a decade of our deep love and passion for the arts and culture, and we're thrilled to invite you to celebrate with us!

A few words about the musicians

Alice Ayvazian (vocals) received her Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance from Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas and a second Master’s in Classical Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. In the United States, she participated as lead and backing vocalist in numerous studio recording projects as well as various performances and concerts. Since returning to Cyprus, she has established her reputation as an active figure in the local jazz scene performing alongside with some of the best musicians in Cyprus. She is the lead vocalist of the Steppin’ Out Jazz Band with Konstantinos Efraimidis (clarinet/saxophone) and Dimitris Miaris (piano). A member of the Cyprus Voice Centre, Alice is also a sought-after clinician and vocal coach. She has presented various vocal workshops & seminars for choirs, educational institutions and music conservatories. In addition to her singing activities, Alice has conducted research on the early-twentieth-century Armenian composer Komitas Vardapet, which she has presented at the Komitas and Medieval Music Culture International Conference in Yerevan, Armenia (2016). She is currently instructor of Jazz Voice at the Department of Music and Dance at the University of Nicosia (since 2009) and the Director of the University’s Jazz Choir (since 2011). She is also a voice instructor at the Musicopolis music school.

Dimitris Miaris (piano) was born in Nicosia in 1991. He started playing classical piano from 6 years old. At the age of 16 Dimitris had his first connection with Jazz through the “Jazz Futures” workshops that took place in Nicosia with great musicians such as Sacha Perry, Vahagn Hayrapetyan, Ari Roland and Chris Byars. Since then he took part in almost all the “Jazz Futures” workshops and had various live performances in Cyprus and Greece. He also attended the monthly Bicommunal Workshops with Charis Ioannou. The last two years he participated in Dr. Barry Harris’ workshops in Rome. He is also a member of ‘Neorebetes’, a Greek traditional band, where he plays the accordion. The band has performed in Cyprus, Greece, Kazan (Russian), Sydney and Melbourne (Australia). He received his Bachelor Degree for Jazz Piano at the Ionian University’s Jazz Department in 2009 under the instruction of George Kontrafouris.

Costas Challoumas (double bass) was born and raised in Larnaca. He studied pedagogy at the University of Cyprus, where he graduated in 1999. He studied double bass and music theory with Nikos Ioannou and continued his studies at ‘The Collective School of Music’ in New York with Sean Conly and Joe Fitzjerald. For twenty years he is a member of various musical ensembles (traditional, jazz, latin etc) and also of music and theatre performance groups. Amongst others, he was a member of the musical ensemble of ancient instruments “Terandros”, the original Cuban band “Havana Noche” and “Turnaround Jazz Quartet”, while the last years he is the artistic director of “Makam Ensemble”.

Marios Spyrou (drums) is based in Nicosia. He completed his Master’s Degree at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag. He has participated in several workshops and private lessons with many influential jazz musicians, such as Eric Ineke, Joseph Farnsworth, George Fludas, Leroy Williams, Adam Nussbaum, Barry Harris, and Harold Mabern. Currently, he teaches private drum lessons at The English School in Nicosia and at the Music High School. Over the last few years, he has played extensively with top Cypriot and European jazz musicians all over the island and at essential venues across Europe, including the UK, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain. He has performed at the 1st Apollo Jazz Festival in Greece, the Rialto World Music and Jazz Festival, the Jazz in de Gracht festival in the Netherlands, the Aglanjazz Festival, the Paradise Jazz Festival, and the Jazz a Prop festival in Spain.