Pandelis Karayorgis

Pandelis Karayorgis (born 1962) is a Greek-born and Boston-based pianist, composer and educator.

Life and career Karayorgis was born in Athens, Greece in 1962. He began classical piano lessons at the age of 9, but by the end of high school he was in love with jazz and beginning to play gigs while pursuing a degree in economics. In 1985, Karayorgis went to Boston to attend the New England Conservatory, where he earned BM and MM degrees in music while studying with Paul Bley, Jimmy Giuffre, George Russell, and Joe Maneri among others.

He studied and performed extensively the music of Thelonious Monk and Lennie Tristano. In the nineties, he worked closely with violinist Mat Maneri producing several recordings mostly in duo format. During the same time, he also co-led a group with Eric Pakula featuring much of the Tristano repertoire, and collaborated with Argentine saxophonist and composer Guillermo Gregorio.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

With The Whammies The Whammies Play the Music of Steve Lacy (Driff, 2012) The Whammies Play the Music of Steve Lacy, Vol. 2 (Driff, 2013) The Whammies Play the Music of Steve Lacy, Live Vol. 3 (Driff, 2014)

As sideman

With Guillermo Gregorio Approximately (hatART, 1996) Red Cube (hatOLOGY, 1999)