Creative Guitar: Kawol Samarqandi / Giannis Arapis
The “Creative Guitar” project is an initiative by guitarist Giannis Arapis to actively engage with and promote a different style and philosophy around the instrument.
The pillars of Creative Guitar consist of a series of concerts and seminars aimed at highlighting the connection between study and research and artistic practice.
The concerts will feature international guitarists with their own unique sound and style.
Guitarist Kawol Samarqandi from Japan will participate in the first concert, while Giannis Arapis will open the evening.
🔷 Kawol Samarqandi joined Tokyo’s new wave music scene at the age of 17.
He then appeared as a casual singer-songwriter in various venues.
At the age of 20, he traveled around North Africa (Tunisia) and the Mediterranean, where he studied traditional Arabic music with Ali Sriti.
After performing solo concerts in theaters, festivals, television appearances, etc., he returned to Japan, working on commercial projects (e.g., city pop) as a guitarist, arranger, composer, lyricist, and singer—in recording studios, on the radio, and on tour.
In 1997, he founded his record label PLAKA FOR EARDRUM.
In the new century, he embarked on his life’s work: creating non-ethnic, “poor” music, improvising only with his trembling guitar and voice.
He collaborates with musicians across borders (sometimes in person, sometimes online), creating works and performances in various places.
In 2007, he formed the duo REFUGEES with Mary Meacha Goldfish.
In August 2021, Ramble Records released the vinyl album “silence, notes and structures 1”.
In April 2024, he was invited by the Sharjah Art Foundation for solo concerts and workshops by REFUGEES in the United Arab Emirates.
In the same month, Ramble Records released the CD “Noli me tangere”.
In October 2025, his new vinyl album entitled “energeia” will be released, recorded in a historic venue in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
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🎧 kawolsamarqandi-ramble-records.bandcamp.com/album/noli-me-tangere
🔶 Guitarist Giannis Arapis plays, composes, and improvises experimental rock and jazz music, creating a kind of melodic chaos and thus contributing to the establishment of the electric guitar as the melodic voice of avant-garde music.
Among his main influences are Béla Bartók, Dmitri Shostakovich, and the early free jazz saxophonists.
He has played and recorded with Noël Akchoté, Mats Gustafsson, Eva Lindal, and Johan Berthling.
He is currently a member of the bands Vasilaraps, Ramdat, and Mammock.