About Avramakis

Below is some information about Avramakis:

Angelo (Vangelis) Avramakis from Melbourne, Australia first began playing drums at the age of 5. His love for Greek music was apparent even at that young age, and soon starting playing bouzouki at the age of 8. He started learning both practical and theory and soon began studying advanced harmony and composition.

Other instruments that he picked up on the way included guitar and piano, and later on the bass guitar. His public performances began at the age of only 10, and by the age of 16 he began working professionally in clubs, taverns, restaurants, and with reception bands.

At the age of 17, Avramakis played with well known singer George Malliaros, and by that stage he was already regarded as the next "Manolis Hiotis."

At 18 he performed with the living legends Vaso Hatzi and the top clarinet player from Greece - Vasilis Saleas.  More recently he performed with the top violinist from Greece - Nikos Hatzopoulos.

Avramakis also worked with other well known artists from Greece, like Giannis Katevas, John Tikis, Giannis Vasileiou, Tasos Bougas, including numerous support acts such as Gonidis, Melas, Sakellariou, Doukissa, Tzeni Vanou, Antzela Dimitriou, Lefteris Pantazis, and the queen of Greek music - Marinella!

In 1999 he formed BOUZOUKI FEVER band, and the following year they released their first CD "Terma Oi Thisies". Eleni Harami arrived from Greece in November 1999 and Avramakis immediately began performing with her every week at Crown in Melbourne. Harami joined Bouzouki Fever band at Kivotos beginning in the start of 2000 and then in 2001 released her own CD recorded at Avramakis Studio. Only a couple of weeks later, Harami and Avramakis perfomed together in Adelaide for a special night at the Renaissance.

In 2002 he recorded 8 out of the 12 tracks from "Ta Prota Vimata" CD by Kostas Kartsakis. That CD consisted of 12 original laika songs written by Kosta and soon became well known worldwide. The same year, Angelo moved to Adelaide, and the very next day Bouzouki Fever band performed with George Bitolas from Melbourne. Soon after, the band began playing at Oxford in North Adelaide.

In 2004 Angelo moved back to Melbourne. His latest CD was released in October 2007. It is a full instrumental (solo) album called "Bouzouki Fever - New Wave Passion", comprising of 14 tracks where Middle East meets West.