Diesi is a traditional Greek band based in Montreal and consists of Panagiotis Bakalis (Clarinet, Flute, Tsambouna), Harry Karavitis (Violin, Vocals), Panagiotis Bournakis (Laouto), and Chris Darsaklis (Percussion).
The members of Diesi each developed an appreciation for traditional Greek music from a young age due to their involvement in traditional Greek dance groups. Through performances and seminars, they developed a network of contacts, which includes many renowned figures of the Greek traditional dance and music scenes. Under the guidance of such individuals, Diesi began developing a musical repertoire spanning all of Greece while remaining attentive to the details of the local musical traditions and styles. On their various trips to Greece, Diesi always tries to meet with locals in order to learn and document specific musical repertoire as well as to learn the musical history, intricacy and influence of each specific region.
Over the years, Diesi has had the opportunity to perform at various cultural events, seminars (Laografia 2011-2019,Koinonia 2015-2019 Sinantisi Prevezas 2014 and Vimata 2012), dance shows, performances and “glentia” throughout Canada and the United States, while also collaborating with various artists from Greece in the process. Diesi has also been featured on local Greek programming and partaken in various international festivals including the Festival des traditions du monde de Sherbrooke (2012) and performances at local festivals in northern Greece and the Peloponnese. Diesi has also collaborated with several traditional dance groups including La Troupe Folklorique Grecque Syrtaki (Montreal), Paradosi Hellenic Dance Company (Toronto), Romiosyni Dance Group (Halifax), Dionysos Dancers (Edmonton), The Odyssey Dance Troupe (Ottawa) and Krasoxori (Oresteiada, Thrace, Greece) to name a few.
Since 2013, Diesi has also been participating in the annual FDF dance competition organized by the Metropolis of SanFrancisco, playing alongside various dance groups and musicians from the United States, Canada and Greece.
Contact Information
Facebook: Diesi Montreal
Instagram: diesi_mtl
E-mail:
[email protected]
Phone: (514) 969-8474 [Harry]