Sami Amiris

Sami Amiris studied Mathematics at the University of Crete. He also studied classical piano with Prof. Dimitri Toufexis, a concert pianist, conductor of international stature and Julliard Professor. He also took lessons in composition with Prof. Th. Antoniou and Dr. Ath. Zervas.

Today, he is one of the best known jazz pianists in Greece. His style encompasses many influences, from classical and contemporary music to jazz and blues, to the music of Central and South America, Cuba, as well as Africa, India, Arabia, Maori and Ancient Greece.

Sami Amiris is a founding member and co-leader, along with Yannis Stavropoulos and Periklis Trivolis, of the power jazz piano trio NUKeLEUS and co-leads, along with Antonis Ladopoulos, the highly interactive saxophone-piano duo Phos. He is also the pianist and current musical director of the Big Band of the Municipality of Athens.

He has appeared in many jazz festivals both inside and outside Greece with various collaborations, which include Bobby Shew, Craig Bailey, Chico Freeman, Ron McClure, Sean McGowan, Reiner Witzel, David Garibaldi to name a few. He has also lectured in seminars at various institutions.

Sami Amiris has also been very successful as a teacher. Students of his have enrolled in many prestigious music institutions, both at the undergraduate and graduate level.