MAGGES

It all started at 9-C, in NYC's East Village, circa 1997 when Greg Garing was doing the Alphabet City Opry. I was hanging out there with my close friends Damion Smith and John Guzman when I was introduced to Homeboy Steve Antonakos. We're both Greek and I showed him a couple of Greek songs, then we played on one of those legendary Monday nights at 9-C. Lo and behold, it was a big hit! Enter Ken Forrest that was playing upright bass with various talent at the scene so we became Trio Magges doing a bunch of Monday nights at 9-C and eventually playing at the Bowery Ballroom with Greg Garing and the Alphabet City Opry.
Shortly after I met Pete Margolis after he'd seen us play at 9-C and once he told me he had a bouzouki at home I instantly told him he was in!!! So, the intense rehearsals started, building up our repertoire and showing my bretherin the ropes Greek style with Bruce Martin on percussion.We played for 2 years, bars, private parties, a few high profile weddings including the singer from Depeche Mode.then the forces that be had it so we take a 5 year hiatus.we reformed in 2005 without Bruce since he is pursuing other interests.
Percussionists Mark Giammario, Maukka Palmio and Zaharis Kalaitzis have left the group and we've added Spyros Itzos to the lineup. Former member Amalia Daskalakis plays viola on our Cretan song Pentozalis. Susan Mitchell, now a full time member, plays violin who is also on 3 of our latest recordings.
As of April 2009, Pete Margolis had decided to retire his MAGGES hat due to personal and medical reasons, so Mihali Stellatos took over as 2nd bouzouki and is helping us work on our new CD. When Mihali moved to Chicago in the spring of 2012, we were fortunate to get Nick Mandoukos to join on bouzouki and vocals.
All this has added to our rich, traditional sound.We have expanded from the traditional Greek pop songs from the 50's/60's that my father taught me and added to our repertoire old obscure "rembetika" songs. Many of these songs were outlawed back in the 20's, 30's and 40's.how appropriate for MAGGES to perform them for you NOW!