MARIA-CHRISTINA HARPER & NIKI XYLOURI

Maria-Christina Harper and Niki Xylouri create an electrifying soundscape that approaches Greek traditional music in a dynamic and modern way. 

Jazz and avant-garde elements enrich this musical encounter merging two musical worlds and the results form the basis for understanding the path to musical creation.   

Niki Xylouri, daughter of legendary Psarantonis, has a warm distinct voice and uses traditional Greek percussive instruments and a custom-made baritone lyre. Greek-born with Egyptian roots, electric jazz harpist and composer Maria-Christina Harper is reinventing the sound of the harp in the jazz world. 

The two musicians craftfully connect the sounds of their instruments and musical influences creating unique sounds. Their first performance was at the Jazz Chronicles concert series of the  Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre.  Their first album will be released by United We Fly in 2024 with Psarantonis’s participation. 

Maria-Christina Harper: Electro-acoustic harp, effects, arrangements  

Niki Xylouri: Vocals, Percussion, Cretan Lyre.