Bill Koutsouros ~ ANIMUS - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Meet Bill Koutsouros ~ ANIMUS
How I came to Hipness
Music has always been a part of who I am, my father being part of several Greek and Middle Eastern Ensembles and my mother being a belly dancer, it seemed only natural that I follow in their path. My musical journey began at age 15 with my first red electric guitar. Soon to follow was the formation of my popular high school band, Black Rainbow. From the beginning I created and played original music in and around the Philadelphia area... In my college years I became inspired by my Greek heritage and academic studies which opened my mind to learn about cultures and music from around the world. I became particularly interested in Greek, Middle Eastern, and Indian music. As a result, I began teaching myself to play the Bouzouki, a Greek Lute, the Oud, an Arabic lute and the Doumbek (aka: Darbuka, Tabli, Tsoumbeliki) a goblet shaped Middle Eastern hand drum. In 1995, Deborah Cervone (Black Rainbow guitarist), and I formed ANIMUS. Starting as an acoustic guitar duo, Animus has since evolved into an original World Fusion ensemble taking "World Fusion" music to new extremes. My goal, when composing, is to stimulate the body, mind, and soul of the listener. As a musician, composer, and artist, I have no musical boundaries. I strive for diverse compositional arrangements that utilize an endless variety of grooves, rhythms and tonality. Currently, I compose music for and play the Bouzouki, Doumbek, Guitar, Oud, and the Riq in my world fusion music and dance ensemble ANIMUS. My other projects include playing traditional music with the Casablanca Band, The Spice Route Ensemble (Strings for Schools/Musicopia), The Opa Band, and The Sally Mitlas Orchestra among others. I also create and perform world music for families with small children in Bill & Tammy's Children's World Music Express. In addition, have work with Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership, providing cultural music residencies for intercity students. I regularly teach Middle Eastern percussion classes and give lessons in Philadelphia area. I am proud of my hard work, efforts and accomplishments with ANIMUS. In particular, having been nominated for Best Roots/ World Music Performer 2000, 2002 and 2006 by the Philadelphia CityPaper Choice Awards and the opportunities to perform at such great venues as the Kimmel Center and the Philadelphia Museum of Art fuel my musical passion. I plan on continuing my musical journeys and will always strive to impact peoples lives positively through music� Bill & Tammy's Children's World Music Express Spice Route Ensemble The Opa Band ANIMUS
paents... family heritage
Hip Travels
Favorites
USA, Hawaii, Greece, Italy, South Africa, Kenya, England, France... next stop???
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Musician
I play Bouzouki, Doumbek, Guitar, Oud, Riq in the Philadelphia area. ANIMUS is an instrumental group of culturally diverse musical concepts and traditions from ancient to modern alike. Greek, Blues, Middle Eastern, Jazz, Spanish, Funk, Latin, Rock, Indian, Klezmer and African influences all find there way into their exciting eclectic performances. Visit animusmusic.com for more information.
