MA
Having grown up with the musical traditions of the Middle East/Eastern Mediterranean regions and later having moved to the U.S. to study Jazz at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, George is considered to be a bimusical individual. In addition to his extensive training and experience on drum-set, he specializes in a number of traditional percussion instruments such as: the darbuka (goblet shaped drum), bendir (frame drum) and riq (Arabic tambourine).
In 2001 he came to the United States to study music at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Throughout his studies George was mentored by master musicians such as: Kenwood Dennard, John Ramsay, Mark Walker, Dave Samuels, Gary Barton and Gary Chaffee among others. He graduated in April 2005 with a bachelor degree in Jazz Performance. In 2008, George was accepted at the Longy School of Music with a scholarship from where he received his first master’s degree in Modern American Music. During his graduate studies he studied privately with master drummer Bob Gullotti and bassist John Lockwood.
In 2008, George released his first album as a bandleader, Shapes of Nature featuring the George Lernis Jazz Quartet. Around this time, George also formed the Anatoliama INC non-profit, performing and preserving the musical traditions of Greece around the U.S. and the world in the form of concerts and educational workshops. Furthermore, since 2017 George has been the grant recipient of the Mary Jaharis Center in Boston, MA for the creation of the annual Boston Byzantine Music Festival where he invites world renowned artists to perform in the U.S. every November with the Anatoliama Ensemble.
In 2020 George was awarded a full scholarship at the Berklee College of Music Global Jazz Institute. During his time there he was mentored by jazz legends such as Danilo Perez, Joe Lovano and John Patitucci among others. In 2021 he graduated with his second masters degree in Contemporary Performance.
His latest album “Between Two Worlds” was released on June 18th, 2022 and features world renowned bass player John Patitucci. The music for his new album was inspired by the ongoing stereotyping of immigrants based on their origins, religions and skin color and aims to empower immigrants from different ethnic backgrounds to incorporate their traditions and cultures into American Society. Being an immigrant himself, this is a social issue that he is deeply passionate about.
Additional Content:
Between Two Worlds project description
Institution/Business Type:
Artist / Creative (Individual)
Legal Status:
Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship
Year Founded:
2019
Institution/Business Type:
Artist / Creative (Individual)
Legal Status:
Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship
Year Founded:
2019
Primary Discipline:
Music - JazzAdditional Disciplines:
Activities and Services:
Populations Engaged:
Languages Available:
Geographic Reach:
Artist / Creative (Individual)
Date: 06/2022
I have been working with Chase Morrin for the last 5 years in a variety of projects. We also worked together at the same time at the Berklee College of Music - Global Jazz Institute. In addition I am part of Chase Morrin's Global Jazz Trio which includes: Chase Morrin on Piano, Naseem Alatrash on Cello and myself on Percussion. Our latest concert took place on June 29th at the Avenue (Boston JP).
Performing Group
Date: 04/2022
I have been performing with Naseem Alatrash for the last 5 years on a variety of his own original projects as well as mine. I am also part of his new project "Bright Colors on Dark Canvas" where I play percussion. Our last concert at the Nextstagearts theater (VT) took place on April 3rd of 2022.
Artist / Creative (Individual)
Date: 02/2022
I have been working with Mehmet Ali Sanlikol as his main percussionist and drummer for a variety of his projects: Dunya Ensemble, @Whatsnext big band featuring Dave Liebman, Othello in the Seraglio a Coffee House Opera and his Jazz trio (An Elegant Ritual). Our latest concert for the release of his latest album "An Elegant Ritual" took place on February 18th at Joe's Pub (NY).
Anastassiya Petrova
Artist / Creative (Individual)
Date: 10/2021
I have been performing with renowned pianist Anastassiya Petrova for the last 3 years on a variety of projects of hers and mine. Our latest concerts together took place on: May 4th, 2022 at the Global Jazz Club (Boston, MA) and October 22nd, 2021 at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation.
Awards:
Awards:
Education:
NEST Eligible Artist
Technical Requirements:
Fee Range:
$350 - $500 ($500 ideally) per musician for events around the New England area $600 for events outside the New England that require travelingState of Residence:
MassachusettsMinimum Number of Performers:
5Maximum Number of Performers:
5NEST Eligible Artist
Technical Requirements:
Fee Range:
$350 - $500 ($500 ideally) per musician for events around the New England area $600 for events outside the New England that require travelingState of Residence:
MassachusettsMinimum Number of Performers:
5Maximum Number of Performers:
5