Meet us on the dance floor: Getting to know Diesi

Diesi  is  a  traditional  Greek  band  based  in  Montreal  and  consists  of  Panagiotis Bakalis  (Clarinet,  Flute, Tsambouna),  Harry  Karavitis  (Violin,  Vocals),  Panagiotis Bournakis (Laouto), and Chris Darsaklis (Percussion).

The  members  of  Diesi  each  developed  an  appreciation  for  traditional  Greek  music from a young age due to their involvement in traditional Greek dance groups. Through performances and seminars, they developed a network of contacts, which includes many renowned figures of the Greek traditional dance and music scenes. Under the guidance of such individuals, Diesi began developing a musical repertoire spanning all of Greece while remaining attentive to the details of the local musical traditions and styles. On their various trips to Greece, Diesi always tries to meet with locals in order to learn and document specific musical repertoire as well as to learn the musical history, intricacy and influence of each specific region.

Over the years, Diesi has had the opportunity to perform at various cultural events, seminars  (Laografia  2011-2019,Koinonia  2015-2019  Sinantisi  Prevezas  2014  and Vimata 2012), dance shows, performances and “glentia” throughout Canada and the United  States,  while  also  collaborating  with  various  artists  from  Greece  in  the process. Diesi has also been featured on local Greek programming and partaken in various international festivals including the Festival des traditions du monde de Sherbrooke (2012) and performances at local festivals in northern Greece and the Peloponnese. Diesi has also collaborated with several traditional dance groups including La Troupe Folklorique Grecque Syrtaki (Montreal), Paradosi Hellenic Dance Company (Toronto), Romiosyni Dance Group (Halifax), Dionysos Dancers (Edmonton), The Odyssey Dance Troupe (Ottawa) and Krasoxori (Oresteiada, Thrace, Greece) to name a few. 

Since 2013, Diesi has also been participating in the annual FDF dance competition organized by the Metropolis of SanFrancisco, playing alongside various dance groups and musicians from the United States, Canada and Greece. 

Contact Information

Facebook: Diesi Montreal

Instagram: diesi_mtl

E-mail: Diesi.Montreal@gmail.com

Phone: (514) 969-8474    [Harry]