ABOUT

Erini (aka Erini Tornesaki) is a vocalist of jazz and Greek traditional music who blurs the lines between genres and explores intercultural dialogue through music. Growing up on Crete, she was always moved by the stories of her family who were refugees from Smyrna (Izmir) in 1922. Fascinated by the Greek culture of Asia Minor, she became passionate for the traditional music of the region.

Erini pursued classical music studies starting at the age of 6, playing piano and cello. Her curiosity for music from around the world led her to England to study Contemporary Vocal Performance, and later on to the United States at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute where she received a Master's Degree mentored by Grammy award-winning pianist Danilo Perez.

Erini toured Cirque Du Soleil for 3 years, as the vocalist of the show Kurios and participated in the Emmy Award winning VR movie 'Kurios inside the Box'. She has collaborated with Danilo Perez, Luciana Souza, Christos Zotos, Daniel Hope, Mario Frangoulis, amongst others and has appeared at Panama Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and Carnegie Hall, NYC. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the Berklee College of Music. Erini is currently based in Boston, MA and performs around the world as a soloist and a collaborative vocalist.

MUSIC

Erini feat. Naseem Alatrash - Korasion etragoudage

Korasion Etragoudage is a Greek traditional song from Asia Minor, from the area of Propontis (Sea of Marmara), performed live by Erini featuring Naseem Alatrash.

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PERFORMANCES

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ERINI FEAT. NASEEM ALATRASH

Erini is a 4th generation descendant of Smyrna Refugees, whose music has been passed on to her through her ancestors. This music transcends cultural and national borders, drawing influences from Greek, Turkish/Ottoman, Arabic, Armenian and Byzantine idioms, with many of the same songs and melodies being shared amongst the different cultures.

Erini performs in a duo with Palestinian cellist Naseem Alatrash, presenting the traditional songs of Asia Minor in a new light, carrying them forward for new generations, while helping to dissolve stigma and create empathy for the refugees and immigrants living around the world.

EDUCATION

Erini is a Professor at Berklee College of Music and Berklee Online and presents workshops and lectures of Greek traditional music in universities including Harvard, Princeton, Tufts amongst others.