Gus Vali
|
American-born of Greek parents, Gus Vali studied at the Manhattan School of music and performed with Louis Prima, Artie Shaw, Johnny Long, Sonny Dunham, and Jan August. Leading his own group, he became the leading exponent of authentic Greek music, including its overlap with the traditions of neighboring regions. Accomplished on the flute, clarinet, and saxophone, he brings a unique Greek sensibility to a field dominated by artists considered more "oriental." Through various labels and projects Vali tried many different styles and featured different vocalists. During his late period as "Admiral of the Navel Academy," his exotic flute meshed wonderfully with the oud of George Mgrdichian. Gus Vali's records are important for several reasons. First, he is the chief exponent of the Greek variety of oriental music. Second, his leadership with flute and clarinet are unusual in a field dominated by oud and derbecki players. Third, Chimera is singular, one of the hippest albums blending rock and jazz with oriental music. And there are plenty of outstanding exotic moments on his earlier records, even among his interpretations of Hollywood standards and other predictable fare. Gus Vali still performs in the greater New York City area. For performance availability, contact Vali Music: 201-768-9100; 469 Livingston St. Norwood, NJ 07648. |
Gus Vali LPs
| Rating | |
| 7 | Gus Vali & his Authentic Greek Orchestra: The Greeks Had a Song for It; United Artists UAL-30004; 1958 |
| 7 | Gus Vali & his Casbah Ensemble: All Points East; United Artists UAS-6083; 1960 |
| The Greek Way; United Artists UAS-6148 | |
| 5 | Oli Mazi! (Means "Sing Along" in Greek); United Artists UAS-6213 |
| A Greek in Dixieland; United Artists UAS-6250 | |
| 7 | Gus Vali & his Casbah Ensemble: Dance Bellyrina, Dance!; United Artists UAS-6302; 1963 (Belly Dances--For Men Only; United Artists/UnArt S-21017; 1967, 10 tracks) |
| If It's Greek It's Greek; United Artists UAS-6321 | |
| 6 | The Exciting Sounds of the Middle East; United Artists UAS-6404 |
| 5 | 51 Belly Dancer Favorites; Musicor MS-3021 (Turkish Delight--51 Belly Dancer Favorites; Musicor MS-3092) |
| 7 | Motion Picture Music for Belly Dancers; Musicor MS-3050 |
| 8 | [And] All Ports East; Musicor MS-3064 |
| 6 | Belly Dancer Favorites; Musicor MS-3252; 1973 (compilation; reissued as Belly Dance!; Springboard/Trip TOP-16-12 w/instruction book) |
| 7 | Belly Dance Navel Academy; Peters International PI-LPS-30; 1972 (w/George Mgrdichian; in Greece as Melophone 333007) |
| 7 | "Let's Belly Dance" with Gus Vali; [Greece]; 1973 (w/George Mgrdichian; in US as Peters International PI-LPS-93) |
| 8 | Chimera--A Fantasy in Jazz-Rock-Mid-East Sounds; [Greece]; 1974 (Peters International PI-LPS-9005) |
| 7 | Belly Dance Navel Academy Vol. 2; [Greece]; 1977 (w/George Mgrdichian; in US as Peters International PLD-2003) |
Partly Gus Vali LPs
| Rating | |
| 8 | The Sultan's Caravan: Belly Dance to Great Navel Music; RCA Victor AFL1-1820; 1976 (led by Joe Castellon, w/Hakki Obadia, Souren Baronian..) |
Hyp Records is a 3-part guide:
|
Go to Hip Wax Some of these records may be for sale at |
© 1998 Hip Wax