Evi Filippou is a Berlin-based Greek vibraphonist, percussionist, performer, and composer working at the crossroads of composition, improvisation, and global folk traditions.
Her acclaimed project inEvitable received the 2023 German Jazz Prize for Debut Album of the Year. She collaborates widely across Europe, notably in the Filippou & Lucaciu duo, and with artists like Uli Kempendorff, Julius Gawlik and the Andromeda Mega Express Orchestra. Evi is also a member of the n ï m Dance Company and the NGO Vincentino e.V. – Culture strengthens children in Berlin.
“As a musician Filippou brings an astonishing lightness of touch to her work, and that encouraging and enabling impulse is what powers the band.[…] It’s experimental but it’s fun, it speaks of camaraderie but also compositional flair. There is also gentleness, pathos, weirdness and everything in between. So good…[…]How wonderful to hear a band without a weak link communicating such joy.” – UK Jazznews
Questions and Answers:
3 FACTS
1: We are all immigrants from the land of our dreams.
2: Music is the best and purest thing in the world.
3: Even if it’s too late, it’s not too late.
11 QUESTIONS
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
People and the universal need for belonging.
I am extremely fascinated by the fact that no matter where I travel to around the world, and whatever traditional or folk song I learn and study, I always observe the same fascinations. Different accents, slightly different ways, more freedom, less freedom, more shame, less shame but the core and the wish are the same. The dreams and the fear are the same. The tragic greatness of human existence. It really keeps giving.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
I started playing percussion when I was 7 for fun and the rest is history.. My parents are really into music and I believe I have them to thank for the beginning of this wonderful crazy journey.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Bill Evans – Sunday at the Village Vanguard
Vangelis Germanos – Ta Barakia
Thelonious Monk – Solo Monk
Pink Floyd – The dark side of the Moon
Introducing…Rubén González
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
Free queer expression, music, loneliness, asian food (i know, it’s weird), parks, trees, endless winters and sweet summers. Hope. Home.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
My place filled with people.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Be an actress? Or teach at a primary school.
7. What was the last record/music you bought or listen?
David Virelles The singer’s Grove Vol. III.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
good question!
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
as a spectator Tscha Limberger duo with Jean-Christophe Gairard PANDA Theater Berlin earlier this year. Wow…
As a performer I can think of a few moments of pure joy and full on authentic expression. Last one being August 20th, inEvitable feat. Tim Hagans at Zig Zag Berlin.
But every gig is such a gift! Actually, my best gig is probably in the future!
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
My music notation program comes in handy and saves a lot of time. Also as a proud millennial I do go down Youtube rabbit holes to solve problems or get inspired. I guess that’s it.
11. What can we expect from your concert at the rejazz-festival?
An INCREDIBLE band taking you to crazy mad places you never thought you’d like to go. Foreign places but familiar. You can also expect to have conversations after and cut some rug during the concert. Can’t wait!
