The scene is dead. The resurrection in both Thessaloniki and Athens will happen in September.
Personally, I haven’t done much practice, but I have added a lot of tunes my collection. I have also published the music for the September/October sessions as well as completing a draft for November/December.
One of my current aims is to develop closer links with musicians in the Balkans. To that end I contacted the Belgrade-based Marko Oklobdzija via www.thesession.org
Marko informed me that he and his brother, Milan, would be spending a week in Vourvourou, Halkidiki. I met them on Sunday, 28th July in Toroni. We met again on Saturday, 3rd August when we had a mini session in my flat. Three of the session regulars joined us. The good thing about Marko – as well as his music and singing skills – is that he is in contact with players in Nis and Novi Sad, Romania and – I think – Bulgaria.
Fingers crossed for an international get-together later this year or early next year.