Paul Avgerinos – The Greek Grammy Nominee!
5 min read
- Would you like to talk to us about your Greek roots?
My dear father, Constantinos Avgerinos, grew up on the Greek island of Kefalonia, in the Ionian Sea between Greece and Italy. Born in 1914, the oldest son in a large family of eight children, he was nicknamed “Costas.” Tradition had him working full time by the age of 13 helping to care for his sisters and younger brother, a responsibility he carried throughout his long life.
The rugged landscape and breathtaking beauty informed his character and discipline, while the stories of Homer’s Odyssey and its hero king Ulysses would inspire his dreams and aspirations. Kefalonia is the island kingdom that Ulysses rules and returns to after his epic adventures, and my father’s village of Valeriano is not far from Ithaca, the legendary home of that man skilled in all ways of contending.
With a great aptitude and passion for mechanical engineering, Costas made his way to Athens at the age of 16 where he worked days as a mechanic and attended school at night. In 1938 he received his diploma in mechanical engineering and was accepted to work and study further in Sunderland, England. At 25, he was hired to work on the freighter Nickolas D.L. that was voyaging to Portland, Oregon.
As fate would have it, my father developed Appendicitis as the vessel was passing through the Panama Canal. Fearing that he would lose his new engineer, the captain refused to let Costas receive medical attention on land. Fortunately, my father made it to Portland on September 2, 1939 just as World War II was starting. He jumped ship and fled to the protection of his sister who lived in Oakland CA where my father received the medical attention that he needed. Amazingly, a German submarine sank the freighter Nickolas D.L. on its way back to London!
In his new found home, Costas began working, learning English and earning the US versions of his Mechanical and Civil Engineering degrees while continuing to support his family back in Greece. He said that he was most amazed by the huge buildings and cities of the U.S. and by how nicely the people treated him.
America’s involvement in WW II was fast approaching and so my father joined the burgeoning defense industries in Rhode Island and Connecticut. He helped to defeat the fascist terrors of Hitler and Tojo.
Outside a movie theater in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, he met my mother Juliana Peripoli.
My mother’s family had themselves fled Northern Italy before World War I, just one generation earlier.
My father later went on to run several successful businesses employing dozens of Americans and securing multiple engineering patents.
My existence is a testament of gratitude to the welcoming spirit of this great country, the United States of America.
- How did you get into the music business of touring with legendary acts such as Charles Aznavour, Liza Minelli, and the jazz legend Buddy Rich?
After I graduated from Peabody Conservatory as a classical bass player, I worked for several years in large symphony orchestras in the US and Hong Kong. Feeling the need to move on, the kind hearted legendary Jazz bass player Bob Cranshaw blessed my career by sending me to take his place on gigs with Charles Aznavour, Liza and Buddy. What a thrill for me as a young struggling musician!!
- How did you move from jazz music to ambient music?
Since the 70s, I was always playing around with electronic music: synthesizers, tape recorders, sound effects units, etc.
I was deeply fascinated by the ability to make new sounds that had never been heard before, so when ’New Age’ and ‘Ambient’ music became a popular style in the 80s, I through myself into these new genres wholeheartedly.
- When and why did you build your music studio called Unicorn?
By 86 I realized I needed my own studio to create high quality new age music, so I built my first little studio. It was very modest and in the basement of a three-family home, but I had my start! In 1994 I was able to move to my present wonderful studio location in Redding, CT https://StudioUnicorn.net
- Do you prefer analog or digital equipment for your music?
Because my music is delicate, quiet and nuanced, digital recording is much better since there is no tape hiss noise and distortion added to the results. Digital is also much more reliable and constant, so that when I ‘recall’ a project that I’m working on, and sounds exactly the way I left it the day before. This is not at all the case with analog equipment which is always changing in un-predicable ways. The consistency of digital is hugely important for me, since most of my work involves thousands of very subtle minute changes that a casual listen may not even notice upon their first listening.
- What do you remember about winning a Grammy with the album Grace?
That first Grammy win was a peak experience for me, especially since my daughter Juliana Joy was born 12 days later!
My career truly took off in a big after that first win as well, and it is still growing steadily. 2022 was my best year ever by a large measure! I’m deeply grateful for all this success.
- What does a music award mean for a modern musician?
The Grammy is the only award that the general public knows and respects, so it can be a huge boost, if you use it wisely and keep working hard!
- Did you also win a Grammy in 2020 as a producer?
Yes, I won a Latin Grammy in 2020 as a producer on Emilio Solla’s album, ‘Music From International Waters’.
- What about the new Grammy nomination?
I’m very excited to be going to LA in a few days for my JOY album nomination! JOY is modeled on my GRACE album and Kevin Braheny Fortune plays a big part in the production just as he did on GRACE.
I’m also nominated as an engineer for the Latin Jazz album, Fandango at The Wall, by Arturo O’Farrill.
- What is your message to your fans?
I am deeply grateful to all my fans and listeners. It is so amazing to know that I have close to 4 Million streams every month around the world! I get so many messages thanking me for my peaceful, gentle and kind music, and it is a huge blessing to know that I am helping people to be happier, more peaceful and fulfilled in their daily lives. I never dreamed I would reach so many people when I started 40 years ago and I am deeply grateful to each and every listener!!! ❤️
Information: https://roundskymusic.com/
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