MICHAEL MESSIOS (double bassist, composer,educator)
MESSIOS attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston MA with a scholarship. He studied music composition, and jazz performance.
His return in Cyprus found him busy in the music industry as a member in various ensembles. The Petsteppers, Charis Ioannou Trio, Cyprus big band, Tassos Stylianou Trio, where he performs and composes.
He has participated in major Jazz Festivals like the Krakow Jazz Festival in Bologna, the Kuwait Jazz Festival, Mitrovica Jazz Festival in Serbia, the Crete Jazz Festival and played in prestigious jazz clubs like the VORTEX in London.
In 2013 he created his own band with the name “Michael Messios Symmetry Band” which performs his compositions only. His music is influenced by Contemporary and traditional Jazz and distinguished for its strong melody , harmony, complicated rhythms and motives.
MESSIOS is an endorsing artist of the ‘‘ASHDOWN AMPS''.
GREG MAKAMIAN (Double bassist)
Greg Makamian is a double bassist based in Cyprus. After graduating from the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, Greg moved to New York City to pursue a career in Jazz.
Greg has had the opportunity to perform next to legendary pianist, Freddie Redd at Smalls Jazz club in NYC. He has also performed with musicians such as: Chris Byars, Grant Stewart, Pasquale Grasso, Vahagn Hayrapetyan, Pete & Will Anderson, Zaid Nasser, Ofer Landsberg and others. In 2016, he performed with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra and the Charis Ioannou group, presenting the music of Charlie Parker – Bird with Strings.
In the past 10 years, Greg has traveled across 3 continents, performing at clubs & festivals. Notable mentions are: Smalls Jazz Club (New York), Mezzrow (New York), The Rex (Toronto), Dusseldorf Jazz Rallye (Germany), Kypria (Cyprus), Technopolis Jazz Festival (Greece), Cafesjian Arts Centre (Armenia).