Ioannis Anastassakis is one of the most recognizable greek guitarists internationally, with rich artistic, compositional, educational, and written work. His main interests lie in flamenco, rock and fusion guitar.

Biography

Born in the Greek island of Crete, Ioannis Anastassakis began playing the guitar at the age of 11. He studied at the Greek National Conservatory and the Nakas Conservatory in Athens.He completed his Bachelor degree at the American College of Greece, and subsequently studied at the distinguished Musicians Institute (GIT) in Hollywood, CA, where he was hired as an instructor, after graduating at the top 1% of his class.He continued his graduate studies, specializing in Solo Flamenco Guitar, under the tutelage of Juan Serrano, at the California State University, completing an MA in Guitar Performance, and graduating Magna cum Laude. Ioannis studied for several years with Juan Serrano. In addition, he has studied with Flamenco guitar legends Manolo Sanlucar, Juan Martin, Paco Serrano, Jose Antonio Rodriguez and Manolo Franco.

In Greece, Ioannis has served as principal instructor at the most prominent International Guitar Festivals (International guitar festival of Hermoupolis, International Winter guitar festival of Volos, International guitar festival of Patras, International guitar festival of Porto Heli).

At present (2006), Ioannis teaches at the American College of Greece and maintains a busy private teaching schedule. Furthermore, he divides his time between recording, writing instructional materials for guitar and conducting clinics and seminars and presenting flamenco guitar recitals around Greece. Other activities involve working towards a Doctorate in Music, recording his 2nd Solo Flamenco Guitar CD and preparing an extensive series of instructional materials for Mel Bay Publications.

Ioannis Anastassakis is sponsored by LaBella Flamenco Guitar Strings.

Performances

Ioannis has presented over 300 solo recitals in Europe and the United States and has been a guest lecturer at several American colleges and Universities (University of Southern California, California State University Northridge, California State University Fresno, California State University Fullerton, Musicians Institute, Fresno City College, and American College of Greece). In addition, he has won Classical and Flamenco guitar competitions and has been featured 12 times on American TV.

Additionally, Ioannis has performed and/or recorded in a variety of settings & venues with band members of Whitesnake, Dio, Deep Purple, Ozzy Osbourne, Elton John, Santana, Celine Dion, Sara Vaughan, Tito Puente, Julio Iglesias, Tower of Power, Chick Corea Electric Band, Jeff Beck, Steve Vai Band, Badlands, Santana, Tribal Tech, Natalie Cole, Joe Cocker, Cher, Blood Sweat & Tears and more.

In December 2000, he was the 1st guitarist ever to present a solo guitar recital at the Greek National Opera House.

Discography and Books

Ioannis’ first solo Flamenco guitar CD, “Flamenco Live at Ioannina”, was released by MP3.com on August 2000 and immediately entered the company's flamenco category Top 10 chart, eventually reaching the #1 place worldwide on October 2002. The CD was re-mastered and re-released by Wild Rose Angel Productions in 2004. Ioannis’ second and third solo Flamenco guitar CDs, “Traditional Flamenco Guitar Selections, Vol. 1” & “Vol. 2 ” are scheduled to be released by Wild Rose Angel Productions in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Ioannis’ instructional materials are published and distributed worldwide by Mel Bay Publications. His 1st instructional book “The Art of Rasgueado”, achieved best-seller status within months of its initial publication date. He is also a regular columnist in Mel Bay’s Guitar Sessions magazine.

Links

• Ioannis Anastassakis' Homepage