I love performing. I grew up on a small Greek island, and always loved music. The local schools, weren't to my folks liking, so I was tutored at home. I've never been in a public school classroom. My parents were big on thinking outside the box, and my education focused on things I already showed a propensity for. I got my first guitar at the age of ten, and studied with a local musician, Leftheris Patrikios. He also was a master of the greek Bouzouki, and introduced me to the rythms and scales of Asia Minor, as well as Western music theory. Moving to LA at the age of eighteen, I worked on movie sets doing bit parts and extra work, and always had my guitar with me. The guitar appeared with me in almost every scene I ever acted in, on the sets of Falling Down, Wonder Years, and many others. I worked on the set of Hook, as a pirate. Spielberg never let me play guitar in a single scene, no matter how many times I tried. While on the set of Hook, a fellow pirate by the name of Rico Orellis started teaching me the basics of flamenco Guitar. We would practice between takes, and after lunch. During that period, I also heard the Gypsy Kings for the first time, and knew instantly that I wanted to play that kind of guitar, that kind of music. Some years later life took me to Seattle WA, looking for work. I met Eric, on a crummy day job. We had the same musical tastes, (Metal and Flamenco), so we quit the job and started to make music.
The learning curve for me was intense. Eric had played professionally for years. I had never been on stage as a musician, and had only sang as a minor hobby. Our first songs were combinations of Flamenco and Greek music. We found that I had a voice and started writing music with vocals. I have always had a passion for languages. Our songwriting and the diverse musicians we work with led me to sing in Greek, Spanish, Bosnian, Arabic, Turkish and English. 2 years later I was the frontman for Children of the Revolution, and we sold out every major venue in Seattle and shot a DVD for PBS. It's kinda crazy looking back on it. Since then I have passionately prusued the art of salsa dancing and the never ending struggle of the voice, including recording a duet with one of my favorite singers in the world, Ann Wilson. My life has changed forever, as I've realized that no comfort or stabilty can ever replace the quality life you are able to live as a full time artist. For good or bad, I look forward to what the future will bring.

Vassili plays Tornavoz guitars and Shubb Capos


Vassili is now offering beginners private salsa dance lessons for couples or singles. Even if you've never danced in your life(but always wanted to), I have a step by step approach that makes it fun and easy, plus it's great exercise. Space for these is limited, so let me know as soon as possible..... email him at vassili@cotrmusic.com