International Artists

Greek roots · Jazz · World

Mode Plagal

Where Greek Roots Meet the Spirit of Jazz

Since their formation in Athens in 1990, Mode Plagal have carved out a distinctive place in the international jazz and world music landscape, creating a musical language that transcends genres, borders and traditions.

Blending the freedom of jazz improvisation with the intricate rhythms and melodies of Greek traditional music, Byzantine sounds and the rich musical heritage of the Balkans, the Mediterranean and beyond, Mode Plagal weave together elements of funk, rock, soul and global musical traditions into a sound that is unmistakably their own.

Rooted in tradition yet constantly exploring new sonic territories, their music is both deeply connected to its cultural origins and boldly contemporary. Intricate rhythms, infectious grooves, improvisational freedom and an unmistakable sense of spontaneity come together in performances that are as adventurous as they are vibrant and engaging.

Their international outlook is reflected in a series of remarkable cross-cultural collaborations. Their partnership with the Istanbul-based Turkish ensemble Bosphorus, led by composer Nikiforos Metaxas, resulted in the album Beyond the Bosphorus (Tou Bosporou to Pera), a landmark meeting of Greek and Turkish musical traditions. They have also collaborated with the acclaimed Greek group Hainides and legendary Cretan musician Psarantonis, exploring the creative possibilities of traditional music through a contemporary lens.

Over the years, Mode Plagal have shared the stage with prominent Greek artists including Dionysis Savvopoulos, Vasilis Skoulas and Eleni Tsaligopoulou. Their international performances have taken them to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Turkey and Syria, among other destinations, introducing audiences to their singular musical approach.

With a sound that is at once deeply rooted and adventurous, sophisticated and infectious, Mode Plagal transcend conventional genre boundaries. Their music is not simply a fusion of styles, but a living conversation between cultures — a celebration of tradition as an ever-evolving source of contemporary creativity.

Line-up

Thodoris Rellossaxophone, vocals
Kleon Antoniouguitar, vocals
Takis Kanellosdrums
Antonis Maratosbass
Florian Micutakeyboards

Indie pop-rock · Singer-songwriter

Maria Papageorgiou

Maria Papageorgiou is a Greek singer-songwriter and one of the distinctive voices of the country’s contemporary indie pop-rock scene.

With seven albums to her name, as well as numerous collaborations and appearances on recordings by other artists, she has developed a deeply personal musical identity that combines contemporary songwriting with elements of Greek musical tradition and alternative pop-rock aesthetics.

Known for her expressive voice, strong stage presence and distinctive approach to interpretation, Maria has performed extensively across Greece at major concert venues and festivals, while her work has also taken her beyond the country, with performances in Berlin, China and other international stages.

Her repertoire moves naturally between intimate songwriting and dynamic live performances, creating a sound that remains rooted in contemporary Greek culture while communicating across musical and cultural boundaries. With a career spanning more than a decade, Maria Papageorgiou brings together songwriting, interpretation and a contemporary Greek identity, making her a compelling artist for international festivals, concert venues and cross-cultural music productions.

Contemporary Greek

Yako Trio

Yako Trio is a Greek singer-songwriter and one of the distinctive voices of the country’s contemporary indie pop-rock scene.

With seven albums to her name, as well as numerous collaborations and appearances on recordings by other artists, she has developed a deeply personal musical identity that combines contemporary songwriting with elements of Greek musical tradition and alternative pop-rock aesthetics.

With a career spanning more than a decade, Yako Trio brings together songwriting, interpretation and a contemporary Greek identity, making her a compelling artist for international festivals, concert venues and cross-cultural music productions.

Jazz · Eastern Mediterranean

Mordana

Mordana are a Thessaloniki-based music ensemble exploring the meeting point of jazz, Eastern Mediterranean traditions and the musical heritage of the East.

Drawing on the multicultural history of the region and the individual journeys of its musicians, Mordana create a distinctive sound that brings traditional instruments, contemporary composition and modern jazz sensibilities into a natural dialogue. Their music moves between intricate melodic lines, rich rhythmic patterns and evocative soundscapes.

Following their debut album “Roots” (2021), Mordana return in 2026 with “Echoes of Pomegranate”, an album of seven original instrumental compositions by Periklis and Vangelis Vrachnos, inspired by the musical traditions of the peoples of the Eastern Mediterranean.

With its distinctive instrumentation and cross-cultural character, Mordana’s music creates a bridge between tradition and contemporary expression, making the ensemble a compelling act for international festivals, world music stages and concert productions.

Pop · Alternative · Electronic

Demetria

Demetria is a Thessaloniki-based Greek musician, songwriter, composer and multidisciplinary artist whose work moves across contemporary pop, alternative music and electronic sounds.

A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, she works with piano, keyboards, percussion, drums and guitar, combining her musical background with a strong interest in sound, visual arts and music production. Her creative practice extends from songwriting and composition to music production, recording, mixing and visual storytelling, with much of her work developed independently through her home studio in Thessaloniki.

In recent years, Demetria has released three LPs and a number of additional singles and collaborations, while also composing original music for short films, video art and other audiovisual projects. Her independent and contemporary approach makes her a distinctive emerging voice from Greece for international festivals, live productions and multidisciplinary artistic projects.

Greek · Balkan · Jazz

Elsa Mouratidou

Elsa Mouratidou is a versatile Greek vocalist with more than 20 years of experience on the music scene, with a strong focus on the musical traditions of Greece, the Balkans and the wider Eastern Mediterranean.

Her artistic work explores the meeting point between tradition and contemporary expression, blending Greek and Balkan musical heritage with jazz textures, contemporary arrangements and improvisational elements. As the leader of the Elsa Mouratidou Quartet, as well as through her collaborations with diverse ensembles, she has explored a wide range of musical cultures, from the traditions of the Black Sea and Caucasus to Celtic music and the Sephardic songs of Thessaloniki.

Her extensive international experience includes performances at festivals and concert venues across Turkey, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Morocco, Australia and beyond, alongside collaborations with prominent Greek artists and ensembles.

Saxophone · Jazz · Experimental

Thodoris Rellos

Thodoris Rellos is one of the defining figures of the Greek jazz scene, having helped shape its distinctive sound over the past four decades. Both as a member of the influential group Mode Plagal and through his numerous independent collaborations, he has been at the forefront of some of the most creative and compelling moments in contemporary live jazz, experimental music and their recorded legacy.

Known for his distinctive musical voice and his openness to cross-cultural influences and unconventional forms of expression, Rellos has contributed to the evolution of a uniquely Greek musical language, bridging jazz improvisation with traditional musical elements and contemporary experimentation.

His extensive collaborative work includes pioneering projects and recordings with Michalis Siganidis, with whom he released groundbreaking albums from the late 1980s onwards. He has also collaborated with landmark Greek acts and artists such as Cheimerinoi Kolymvites, Trypes, Fatme and Vosporos, among others.

Through his enduring creativity and exploratory spirit, Thodoris Rellos continues to play a vital role in shaping Greece’s contemporary jazz and experimental music landscape.

Accordion · Composer

Dimitris Koustas

Dimitris Koustas was born in Athens, Greece. He studied with Kostas Tsilidis at the National Conservatory of Greece, from where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in accordion and advanced theory. He continued his studies in classical accordion with Iraklis Vavatsikas at the Fillipos Nakas Conservatory, and with Raymond Bodell at the University of Surrey, where he also studied composition with Steve Goss and Classical Studio Production with Sebastian Forbes. He went on to study classical accordion with Owen Murray at the Royal Academy of Music.

He has performed extensively as a soloist and as a member of various groups in Athens, London, Paris, Italy and Austria. His performances include the Royal Albert Hall, Jazz Cafe, Le Divan Du Monde (Paris), Warwick International Festival, Venice-Padova International Festival, Glastonbury, and various bars and restaurants.

He has composed music for the theatre, documentaries, art installations and performance acts. He has released three CDs with original compositions in the UK and Greece, and has published a book titled “Politika of Armonika” (Fagotto Publications). His latest release is a solo accordion album called “Politika of Armonika”.

Vocalist · Classical · Contemporary · Greek

Kleoniki Demiri

Kleoniki Demiri is a Greek vocalist with a diverse artistic career spanning classical, contemporary and Greek music. A graduate of Angela Lalaouni’s singing class, she received unanimous distinction and First Prize. She has been a member of the Greek Radio and Television Choir (ERT) since 2000.

She has performed extensively throughout Greece and internationally, appearing at prestigious venues including the Athens Concert Hall, the Foundation of the Hellenic World and Badminton Theatre, as well as in major cultural centres across Europe, Canada and the Middle East.

A notable highlight of her career was her participation as a leading female vocalist in Iannis Xenakis’s Oresteia at the Opéra Berlioz in Montpellier.

Her collaborations include the ERT Contemporary Music Orchestra, the Mikis Theodorakis Orchestra and numerous distinguished Greek composers and performers.

Her discography includes the solo album Magiki Syntagi (A Magical Recipe) and a series of singles celebrating contemporary Greek song. She continues to perform in Greece and abroad, bringing versatility, expressive depth and a distinctive artistic identity to every performance.