Photo by Jan van der Kolk
Vasilis Stefanopoulos was born in Greece and became involved in music from an early age starting with piano and guitar lessons. Shortly after this he discovered the folk music of his country and started playing baglama. Already in high school he was involved in school bands performing for celebrations. After gaining interest in performing blues, funk and rock music, he began taking bass guitar lessons at the Municipal Conservatorium of Patras from Andreas Georgiou. Soon after, he also decided to start classical double bass lessons from Heracles Soumelidis at the same conservatorium. After only two years of playing the double bass he appeared as a soloist with Hellas Orchestra of Patras.
Meanwhile, he became interested in jazz. After meeting the great bass player and teacher Hein van de Geyn, he moved to the Netherlands to study in the jazz department of the Royal Conservatorium of The Hague. Once in The Hague he was very lucky to be able to study with Hein van de Geyn, Frans van der Hoeven, Uli Glassman and Tony Overwater. During his second year of studies and wanting to explore and expand his musical and technical skills, he decided to join the classical department of the same conservatorium. He studied with the highly esteemed teachers Jean Paul Everts, Knut Guettler and Quirijn van Regteren Altena. During his study years, he was very active participating in various ensembles with styles of music ranging from big band to symphony orchestra, also including numerous smaller combos. Continuing his musical education, he completed a master’s in jazz also in The Hague.
Apart from his studies, he has been working professionally as a musician including both touring and recording. In 2008 he recorded with the Poly Quartet the CD “Perfumed Dreams”. With this same group he won the International Jazz competition “Motives for Jazz” in Hasselt Belgium. The Poly Quartet has also been heavily involved in touring throughout Greece. As well, in 2008 Vasilis played with the great French clarinet player Michel Portal in the Athens Concert Hall. In the summer of 2009 he was selected to play with the world famous guitarist George Benson in the North Sea Jazz Festival for A Tribute to Nat King Cole. Around the same time, he began playing with the contemporary ensemble Modelo62.
He has participated with in numerous concerts and festivals including North Sea Jazz Festival, Play Festival Belgium, Tinos Jazz Festival, Jazz Festival Kalamata, Dag in De Branding Festival, Internationale Ferienkurse für Neue Musik Darmstadt, New Works Festival Southampton, Festival Breaking the Waves, Internationaal Kamermuziekfestival Den Haag, Gaudeamus Muziekweek, Bimhuis, Het Concertgebouw, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, De Doelen, Lantaren Venster, Axes Jazz Power, Philharmonie Haarlem, Dr Anton Philipszaal, Muziekcentrum Frits Philips, Vredenburg Leeuwenbergh, Athens Concert Hall, Thessaloniki Concert Hall, Tou Scene, Het Nutshuis, Theater Kikker, Korzo Theater.
He has been touring in jazz clubs and festivals in such places as The Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Portugal, England, Norway, Germany, Spain, Cyprus, France, USA, Argentina, Mexico, Egypt, China, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe.
He has shared the stage with (among others): George Benson, Michel Portal, Tore Brunborg, Csaba Deseo, Jon Luz, Eef Albers, Niels Tausk, John Ruocco.
Meanwhile, he became interested in jazz. After meeting the great bass player and teacher Hein van de Geyn, he moved to the Netherlands to study in the jazz department of the Royal Conservatorium of The Hague. Once in The Hague he was very lucky to be able to study with Hein van de Geyn, Frans van der Hoeven, Uli Glassman and Tony Overwater. During his second year of studies and wanting to explore and expand his musical and technical skills, he decided to join the classical department of the same conservatorium. He studied with the highly esteemed teachers Jean Paul Everts, Knut Guettler and Quirijn van Regteren Altena. During his study years, he was very active participating in various ensembles with styles of music ranging from big band to symphony orchestra, also including numerous smaller combos. Continuing his musical education, he completed a master’s in jazz also in The Hague.
Apart from his studies, he has been working professionally as a musician including both touring and recording. In 2008 he recorded with the Poly Quartet the CD “Perfumed Dreams”. With this same group he won the International Jazz competition “Motives for Jazz” in Hasselt Belgium. The Poly Quartet has also been heavily involved in touring throughout Greece. As well, in 2008 Vasilis played with the great French clarinet player Michel Portal in the Athens Concert Hall. In the summer of 2009 he was selected to play with the world famous guitarist George Benson in the North Sea Jazz Festival for A Tribute to Nat King Cole. Around the same time, he began playing with the contemporary ensemble Modelo62.
He has participated with in numerous concerts and festivals including North Sea Jazz Festival, Play Festival Belgium, Tinos Jazz Festival, Jazz Festival Kalamata, Dag in De Branding Festival, Internationale Ferienkurse für Neue Musik Darmstadt, New Works Festival Southampton, Festival Breaking the Waves, Internationaal Kamermuziekfestival Den Haag, Gaudeamus Muziekweek, Bimhuis, Het Concertgebouw, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, De Doelen, Lantaren Venster, Axes Jazz Power, Philharmonie Haarlem, Dr Anton Philipszaal, Muziekcentrum Frits Philips, Vredenburg Leeuwenbergh, Athens Concert Hall, Thessaloniki Concert Hall, Tou Scene, Het Nutshuis, Theater Kikker, Korzo Theater.
He has been touring in jazz clubs and festivals in such places as The Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Portugal, England, Norway, Germany, Spain, Cyprus, France, USA, Argentina, Mexico, Egypt, China, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe.
He has shared the stage with (among others): George Benson, Michel Portal, Tore Brunborg, Csaba Deseo, Jon Luz, Eef Albers, Niels Tausk, John Ruocco.