| Format: | LP |
| Availability: | PRE-ORDER |
The acclaimed Thessaloniki-based jazz ensemble Yako Trio return with their highly anticipated third studio album.
‘Woven’ marks a new chapter for the acclaimed Thessaloniki-based ensemble, featuring special guests Harris Lambrakis on ney and James Wylie on saxophone. Their collaboration expands the trio’s sound with new colors and textures, weaving together tradition and modern expression.
The cover art is designed by the internationally celebrated and award-winning design studio Beetroot, giving the project a distinctive visual identity that mirrors its sonic depth.
This new quintet formation is a vision that Yako Trio have long aspired to bring to life. The collaboration with Lambrakis and Wylie adds new layers of texture and expression to the band’s music. The mystical, meditative tone of the ney intertwines with the emotive voice of the saxophone, expanding the trio’s sound into new territories. The result is a dialogue full of color, energy, and imagination — connecting tradition with modernism, East with West, and collective memory with contemporary creation.
The trio says about the album: "This new quintet formation is something we’ve envisioned for a long time. It feels like a natural evolution of our sound - expanding our musical dialogue and deepening the emotional landscape we explore. Collaborating with Lambrakis and Wylie brings new layers of color, rhythm, and expression to our music, allowing us to push further into the space where improvisation meets storytelling."
Formed in 2016, Yako Trio consists of Leandros Pasias (piano), Vangelis Vrachnos (double bass), and Giorgos Klountzos-Chrysidis (drums). The group quickly established itself as one of the most creative forces in the modern Greek jazz scene. Their debut album, ‘Ode to Yannis’ (2018), paid tribute to Greek classical composer Yannis Konstantinidis, whose reworkings of traditional melodies served as a springboard for the trio’s distinctive fusion of Greek folk elements with modern jazz.
Their second release, ‘OdesSea’ (2022), propelled them to international recognition. The album was included in All About Jazz’s “Best Jazz Albums of 2022” and Athinorama’s “Best Greek Albums of 2022” lists, earning widespread critical acclaim. Critics have highlighted their artistry and refined interplay:
“OdesSea should be shared with as many jazz listeners as possible... a well-crafted gift of contemporary jazz.” – All About Jazz
“A transcendent modern jazz sound that bridges Northern Greece and Africa — Yako Trio are among the finest jazz groups in Greece today.” – Athinorama
The trio’s performances are known for their balance between structure and spontaneity, between lyrical expression and rhythmic drive.
