Blue Skies InDuologue

• 1 Little Suede Shoes/Day By Day 03:45
• 2 Tin Tin Deo 04:00
• 3 Take Love Easy 03:38
• 4 Hum Drum Blues 03:49
• 5 The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress 05:09
• 6 Blue Skies 04:25
• 7 Bye Bye Blackbird 03:47
• 8 Joy Spring 02:44
• 9 Calypso Blues 05:50
• 10 My Funny Valentine 03:59
• 11 Why Worry 03:22
• Total Runtime 44:28

Info for Blue Skies

InDuologue is a duo of voice (Alexandra Lerta) and bass (Vasilis Stefanopoulos) that play their own interpretation of well known jazz standards. It is described as a musical dialogue, that introduces you to an acoustic kind of jazz listening. The directness and purity of a duo make the songs very personal, almost as if it was directed to each listener personally. Alexandra’s petite voice complements Vasilis’ warm bass sound, resulting in refreshing interpretations of the songs and great dynamics. InDuologue presents outstanding musical quality and truly original interpretations of jazz standards.

Alexandra Lerta, vocals
Vasilis Stefanopoulos, upright bass

Alexandra Lerta
I was born in Athens(Greece). I studied Acting at the National Theatre School of Greece (1998-2001) and after finishing my studies I worked in the theatre for a few years before deciding to make a turn in to jazz music.

I started studying singing in 1997 and being fond of Musical theatre at the time,i took several musical theatre summer courses in London(central school of speech and drama 1996, Mountview School of arts 1997,Guildford school of acting 1999) during these years I started developing a great love for Jazz music. In 2005 I followed a Jazz singing course in Edinburgh with Sheila Jordan as a main teacher and at that point I decided to commit to jazz music for good. In 2006 I moved to The Netherlands and studied for 1 year at Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam. In 2007 I decided to continue my studies at The Royal Conservatory of The Hague.

Since then I have been singing in several places in The Netherlands and Greece. During my studies I attended workshops by important musicians such as: Sheila Jordan, Jocelyn Smith, Bobby McFerrin, David Liebman, Sanna van Vliet, Fay Claasen, Branford Marsalis, etc.. I completed my Bachelors study in June 2011. I’ve had several teachers over the years but my most beloved teacher has been my very first one when I was 17. Her name is Lena Georgali and I was very lucky to have met her and have her believe in me and my voice. If it weren’t for her,I wouldn’t be a Musician.

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 cotemporary ensemble Modelo62.

He has participated 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, Greece, Germany, Italy, England, Norway, Sao Tome and Principe, Belgium, Portugal, Argentina and The United States of America.

He has shared the stage with (among others): George Benson, Michel Portal, Csaba Deseo, Jon Luz, Eef Albers, Niels Tausk, John Ruocco.

Booklet for Blue Skies