Greg Foat, The Giorgos Pappas Trio, Sokratis Votskos

While most holidaymakers in Greece lounge by the pool, soak up the sun on sandy beaches, or pick up a few souvenirs, British jazz pianist Greg Foat took a different path last year. Inspired by the island of Samos, he returned not with trinkets, but with Impressions of Samos – a captivating album blending synthesizer, grand piano, and traditional Greek folk instruments with immersive field recordings.

Teaming up with Sokratis Votskos and The Giorgos Pappas Trio on Blue Crystal Records, Foat crafts an intriguing soundscape of authentic Greek modal folk-jazz. Sun-drenched melodies evoke olive groves and azure seas, where ancient rhythms meet modern improvisation. Tracks weave the raw energy of field recordings – crashing waves, distant bouzouki strums, and island winds – into sophisticated jazz structures, offering listeners a passport to Samos without leaving home.

"This album is my love letter to Samos," says Greg Foat. "What started as a holiday became a deep dive into Greece's musical soul. Collaborating with Sokratis and Giorgos brought these impressions to life in ways I never imagined."