Amalia Bakas

Amalia Bakas (born Mazaltov [Mally] Matsa 1897–1979) was a Greek singer and performer in the United States during the 20th century. She was heavily involved in the "Eighth Avenue scene" in New York City and in Greek communities around the United States.

Her repertoire consisted of mostly traditional songs to which she added her own style and words. Unlike other singers of the time, her songs were mostly about love. She also wrote two songs, "Elenitsa Mou" after she was baptized and "Diamontoula Mou" for her daughter.

Her daughter Diamond would often perform with her mother by either singing duets or by accompanying her on the doumbek. As the life of a performer was not one a woman of the Romaniote community should be leading, Bakas' husband divorced her and sent her other daughter Ester to live in Greece. In 1926 she converted to the Greek Orthodox Church to marry Gus Bakas. Amalia and Gus worked in the restaurant business with Bakas still performing at the café-amans on 8th Avenue in New York City.

Kyria Amalia (Yaniotisa) "Hetzaz Manes" "Antam Aman" "I Agia Sophia-Zeibekiko" "O Giatros (Ah! Giatre Mou)" (The Doctor) "Gamjendeyem-Sarki" [in Turkish] M.B. Amillia Hanum "Kala Kalaya Bakar" [in Turkish] "Turnam Nerdan Galior" [in Turkish] "Gulfishan-Neva Canto" [in Turkish] "Yolda Bouldoum Bir Elna" [in Turkish] "Chifte Telly Ghazel" [in Turkish] Amalia Bakas "Ali Pasha-Yaniotiko" "Trigona-Yaniotiko" "Paramana Cuna Cuna" (Rock the Cradle)-Zeibekiko "E Thalassa" (The Sea) {Yanio Tiko} NY April 11, 1927 "Nea Vaslio" {Young Basilio}-Kalamatiano "T’Asteri To Lambro" {Bright Star}-Kleftiko "Berbantis" {The Bomb}-Zeibekiko "Sabah Taxim" NY August 10, 1927 "Mesa Sto Perivoli Sou" {In Your Garden} "Esi Kimas Me Ti Mama Sou" {You Sleep With Your Mother}-Sirtos "Mavromata" {Black Eyes} "Den Mou Lete Ti Na Kamo" {Tell Me What I Must Do}-Sirtos "Apo Ta Mikra Mou Hortaniase" {My Grace Overgrown With Grass} NY October 26, 1927 "Elenitsa Mou" (Bakas) "Ta Mtia Sou Ine Galana" "Haido Sirtos" "Karakatsana" "Pes Mou Ti Tha Katalavis" - Zeibekiko "Gianoula" NY February 8, 1928 "Eliosan Ta Kokola Mou" "Horis Elpida Na Zo" - Rembetiko "Thelo Na S’ Alismoniso" - Karsilamas "Mavromatou Me Pligoses" "O Pselos" "I Vlaha I Emorfi" NY February 13, 1929 "Agrilamas Ke Psarades" "Mavromalou" NY 1929