Pandelis Karayorgis

Descriptions such as sentimental, sugary, fluffy, or syrupy are unlikely to surface when discussing avant-garde/post-bop jazz pianist Pandelis Karayorgis, whose work is routinely characterized as angular, cerebral, and abstract. Thelonious Monk and Cecil Taylor rank as his central influences, yet Paul Bley, Marilyn Crispell, Myra Melford, and the underexposed Herbie Nichols stand as equally pertinent points of reference. Born and raised in Greece, Karayorgis relocated to Boston in the 1980s and enrolled at the prestigious New England Conservatory, studying there with improvisers including pianist Bley and bassist Dave Holland. Favoring an inside/outside approach, Karayorgis remained in the Boston area and stayed actively engaged on the local jazz scene, performing with the Mandela Octet in the 1990s and frequently collaborating with violinist Mat Maneri. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s the pianist issued multiple albums as leader or co-leader, the majority of them appearing on Leo.