Vangelis Katsoulis

A Greek composer and producer who spins compelling confections from a host of different genres, Vangelis Katsoulis’ early works were influenced by the avant-garde movement of the 1970s, but as his career progressed he began introducing elements of jazz, rock, orchestral, minimalism, new age, and ambient electronic music into his oeuvre. Not to be confused with his fellow composer and countryman Vangelis (born Evángelos Odysséas Papathanassíou), Katsoulis was born in Athens, and studied music in both Greece and Germany before issuing his debut album in 1975. Improvisation, jazz, and electronics began to feature more prominently in his work during the 1980s, and in 1989 he co-founded Utopia, an independent record label. In addition to his myriad studio albums — highlights include Through the Dark, Silent Voyage, and Pictures from Inside — Katsoulis is a prolific producer and film and television composer who took home the first prize for best soundtrack at the 1994 Thessaloniki International Film Festival. In 2014 he released Sleeping Beauties, a collection of early and unreleased works. ~ James Christopher Monger