Local musicians take the stage

Another week, another set of local musicians about to take the stage. The next few live performances to take over Sarah’s Jazz Club in Nicosia welcome established and emerging young musicians to the stage. Taking music lovers on a nostalgic jukebox journey this Friday is a gig by Anthea Xydas performing retro jukebox hits.

Along with Guy Creen on the keyboard, Eliana Pavlou on bass guitar and Pavlos Daniel Loucaides on drums, Anthea will sing beloved hits from the 1920s to the 1990s. Think Elton John, ABBA and Whitney Houston. Joining her on stage will also be three guest singers – Ayla Sayegh, Georgia Neocleous and Paola Entafianou – who will bring more jukebox classics.

Also happening this weekend is a performance by the local band Private Garden on Saturday at 9.30pm. Musicians Stefanos Meletiou, Nikos Christodoulou and Max O’Matic will perform an acoustic blues-rock set which will be paired with a free wine tasting of Paterianaki wines from Crete.

More blues will follow next week by one of the island’s leading bands that features a signature blues sound. The Zilla Project are set to perform at Sarah’s Jazz Club on April 15. As Emmanuel Vourakis, Loizos Pafitis and Stephanos Meletiou take the stage at 9.30pm their original compositions, as well as electrified versions of well-known blues classics, will fill the jazz bar in what is expected to be an energetic and supercharged two-hour set.

Before these musicians play at Sarah’s next weekend, young music students from local universities will perform at the bar early next week. Around 10 students, part of the European University Jazz and R&B Ensembles under the direction of Marios Toumbas, will play live at Sarah’s on Monday, April 11. Jazz, pop, rock and R&B ensembles have been a part of the European University Cyprus music curriculum for the last 15 years.

Beyond their theoretical studies, these ensembles allow EUC students to gain experience in real performance situations by participating in these hands-on weekly classes under the direction of experienced instructors in the field of performance. Next Monday, they will bring their vocal, drums, electric guitar and bass skills to the jazz bar.

On the following evening, more university music students will showcase their talents. The University of Nicosia Jazz Ensembles will welcome students to the stage to play classic jazz melodies and more.

Retro Jukebox Hits

With Anthea Xydas and guest musicians. April 8. Sarah’s Jazz Club, Nicosia. Live music starts at 9pm. €10. Tel: 95-147711

Private Garden

Local blues-rock band and free wine tasting. April 9. Sarah’s Jazz Club, Nicosia. Live music starts at 9.30pm. €10. Tel: 95-147711

The Zilla Project

Popular local blues band plays live. April 16. Sarah’s Jazz Club, Nicosia. Live music starts at 9.30pm. €10. Tel: 95-147711

European University Jazz and R&B Ensembles Recital

University music students perform live under the director of Marios Toumbas. April 11. Sarah’s Jazz Club, Nicosia. Live music starts at 8.30pm. €5. Tel: 95-147711

University of Nicosia Jazz Ensembles

University music students perform live. April 12. Sarah’s Jazz Club, Nicosia. Live music starts at 8.30pm. Tel: 95-147711