The Advice of Şangó

Following the post re band-leader Demetrios Kastaris and his Latin Jazz Coalition, here’s another great band-leader and musician who made it to shape his dream and offer some great music.

Sotiris Papadopoulos, born in Volos, Greece, is a scientist (PhD in Atomic Physics) who gave up academic research to follow his dream: unite people through music. It’s not only the Greek origin that is common between Sotiris Papadopoulos and Demetrios Kastaris but also their interest in latin jazz.
 Sotiris Papadopoulos has practiced the guitar in parallel with his studies. When in Germany he meets and becomes friend with Ira Coleman while in 1980 he travels to Nigeria to play on stage with Fela Kuti (!). In the following years he develops an interest for African music.

Ashake - Salvador Sango


When in New York for his studies he has the opportunity to play with Tito Puente.
In 1988 he moves to Nigeria and in 1989 he performs with Dizzy Gillespie in the latter’s Nigeria tour. During the following years he plays with Femi Kuti, Orlando Julius, Vicror Waifo among others while in 2004 he creates his group Salvador Sango featuring musicians from Nigeria. Their music is a blend of Afrobeat, Afrocuban, Latin Jazz, Flamenco.

Toussaint l'Ouverture - Salvador Sango


You can purchase their album “The Advice of Şangó” here
More info here