Yiannis Papadopoulos - Mirrorself (2021)

Mirrorself: contemporary jazz piano trio with string quartet that draws of cinematic and classical music elements to create a powerful, yet meditative and dreamlike sound that feels original and captivating.

Mirrorself is the debut release (as a leader) of Greek pianist and composer Yiannis Papadopoulos. The seven tracks in the album are all original compositions.

Yiannis Papadopoulos is one of the founding members of the contemporary jazz Greek band “The Next Step”. They have released two full albums in 2013 and 2015 (feat. Tivon Pennicott on Tenor Sax) as a Quintet and one more as a Quartet in 2020. Yiannis has also performed with a great many of the best players of the active and evolving Greek Jazz scene, including Billy Pod and his album Drums To Heal Society that drew attention in Europe upon its 2019 release.

From the opening track Mirrorself, the self-titled composition sets the main scene. Pensive piano chords and subtle strings introduce a meditative theme before the whole thing unexpectedly explodes to a cinematic (or maybe even post-rock) climax.

The album sets from that point on to explore the original setting with imaginative themes,
creative dialogues of the quartet string section with the piano trio and beautiful vignette solos of the instruments of the trio.

The album delves into a wide spectrum of soundscapes, blending the sound of a contemporary jazz piano trio with a string quartet. As a result, alternating textures, moods and spirits arise like a scent from beginning to the end. The closing track Tempest kicks in with a brief piano roll and a drum fill and swirls us away with its captivating driving force.

Yiannis Papadopoulos says of the album: Observing our image in the mirror can sometimes have a very realistic dimension, free of expectations or fears. Likewise, the process of recording an album can lead to a process of reflection and observation. Consequently, that could lead to the acceptance of the musical image at the moment of its conception “Just as it is” by removing expectations, doubts and thoughts. “Mirrorself” is such a personal mirror, which emerged after a long time of exploring, rejecting and revising the false images that our egoism often imagines. A realistic depiction of who its creator is, at least so far… ”

“Yiannis Papadopoulos” is by far the most ordinary name in Greece. The equivalent to “John Smith” for the English – speaking world. But, the album Mirrorself is very far off the “most ordinary album” you’ve heard. It is a narrative music story that sticks with the mind, the heart and the soul ; a friend you can talk to, or even lean to, when you feel the need.