Background
Xylouris was born into a musical family (his father is Psarantonis (Antonis Xylouris) and his uncle is Nikos Xylouris) and grew up in Anogeia, a mountain village in Crete with a rich musical culture.
Xylouris was born into a musical family (his father is Psarantonis (Antonis Xylouris) and his uncle is Nikos Xylouris) and grew up in Anogeia, a mountain village in Crete with a rich musical culture.
From eleven years old he would accompany his father at village functions, and participate in recordings. Giorgos lived for eight years in Melbourne, Australia, where he formed the Xylouris Ensemble. The Xylouris Ensemble recently expanded to include a younger generation of players, including Psarogiorgis" sons Nikos and Adonis Xylouris, who are based in Melbourne.
Xylouris plays the lute as a solo instrument, in contrast to the traditional accompaniment role the lute has in Cretan music
Normally in an ensemble the laouto provides the rhythmic backing to the lyra, which is par excellence a singer’s instrument. In this role Giorgos is peerless.
In the less usual role of lead instrument he has made the laouto a melodic instrument to frame and adorn song. Xylouris has performed extensively both in his native Crete, in his second home Australia, and internationally at world music festivals, collaborating with musicians from both folk and rock traditions.
