Yanni (/ˈjɑːni/YAH-nee), born Yiannis Hrysomallis (Greek: Γιάννης Χρυσομάλλης Giannis Chrysomallis; born November 14, 1954) is a Greek self-taught pianist, keyboardist, and composer.
He earned Grammy nominations for his 1992 album, Dare to Dream, and the 1993 follow-up, In My Time. His breakthrough success came with the 1994 release of Yanni Live at the Acropolis, deemed to be the second best-selling music video of all time.[1] Yanni has since performed live in concert before in excess of two million people in more than 20 countries around the world. He has accumulated more than 35 platinum and gold albums globally, with sales totaling over 20 million copies.[1] Yanni is considered to be one of the top fundraisers of all time for public television. His compositions have been included in all Olympic Games television broadcasts since 1988, and his music has been used extensively in television and televised sporting events.
Yanni was born on November 14, 1954, in Kalamata, Greece, and began his career by giving recitals for family members though he had no formal training and could not read musical notes. He was also a competitive swimmer in Greece and set a national record in the 50-meter freestyle competition at the age of 14.[2] At the age of 18, he attended the University of Minnesota.[3] As a student, Yanni joined an upcoming local group called Chameleon where he met drummer Charlie Adams.[4] Chameleon earned some modest commercial success touring throughout the Midwest, particularly in the states of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and South Dakota. After receiving a B.A. in psychology in 1976,[3] he sought a life in music. He moved to Los Angeles, in pursuit of movie soundtrack work. In 1987 he put together a small band which included John Tesh and Charlie Adams, and began touring to promote his earliest instrumental albums, Keys to Imagination, Out of Silence, and Chameleon Days.
Dare to Dream was released in 1992. It was Yanni’s first Grammy-nominated album and featured "Aria", a song based on The Flower Duet and popularized by an award-winning British Airways commercial. A second Grammy-nominated album, In My Time, was released in 1993. His music has been used extensively in television and televised sporting events, including the Super Bowl, Wide World of Sports, U.S. Open, Tour de France, World Figure Skating Championships, The Olympics, and ABC News.[5]
Yanni's breakthrough commercial success came with the release of his album and video, Yanni Live at the Acropolis, filmed on September 23, 1993 at the 2,000-year-old Herod Atticus Theater in Athens, Greece,[6] and released in 1994. This was Yanni’s first live album and utilized a full orchestra under the supervision of the Iranian conductor, Shahrdad Rohani, in addition to his core band. Subsequently, the concert was broadcast in the US on PBS and quickly became one of their most popular programs ever, having been seen in 65 countries by half a billion people.[7][8] It has almost continuously remained on the charts since its release and is the second best-selling music video of all time, selling more than 7 million copies worldwide,[1] A composition from this album, "Acroyali/Standing in Motion", was determined to have the "Mozart Effect," by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine because it is similar to Mozart's K 448 in tempo, structure, melodic and harmonic consonance and predictability.[9][10] He has appeared on several major PBS Pledge TV Specials such as A Decade Of Excellence, including segments from Live at the Acropolis, Tribute, and Live at Royal Albert Hall, London.
In March 1997, Yanni became one of the few Western artists permitted to perform and record at the Taj Mahal in India. Later that year he performed at the Forbidden City in China. From these two events he created his next live album and video, Tribute, which was released in 1997. Armen Anassian, Conductor, concedes that he had some doubts about the artist's plans to perform at India's Taj Mahal and China's Forbidden City for Tribute: "To be honest, a few years ago when he was talking about it, the idea was so amazing. I myself was very skeptical, understandably so. But the truth is, it happened. We did it."[11] Anassian describes Yanni as "very optimistic" and has observed that "nothing really fazes him."[11] That outlook carries over naturally to his music. "I don't think it's a goal, per se. He's very honest with his own feelings. His music really comes from the heart. He writes music with ease, the music comes out with relative ease. The feel-good portion of the music is a by-product. It coincides with what the people love to hear."[11] Lighting Designers Lee Rose and David "Gurn" Kaniski received an Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Drama Series, Variety Series, Miniseries or a Special" for both Live at the Acropolis and Tribute .
In 2000, after a two-year hiatus, Yanni released his first studio album in seven years: If I Could Tell You.
Yanni toured in 2003 and 2004 following the debut of the Ethnicity album, extending his "One World, One People" philosophy. This album sparked what would become the fourth largest concert tour of the year ranked by Billboard Magazine. During an early stop on the tour, in Miami, Florida, he played The Star-Spangled Banner before Game 5 of the 2003 World Series, played at Dolphin (now Sun Life) Stadium.
On May 6, 2004, the University of Minnesota conferred upon Yanni the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.
Yanni kicked off his 2004–2005 "Yanni Live!" tour at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. The live album and video, Yanni Live! The Concert Event was released in 2006, the album becoming Billboard's fourth best selling New Age album of both 2006 and 2007.[12]
In 2008, in collaboration with producer Ric Wake, Yanni showcased vocal artists singing his songs on the album Yanni Voices. On March 24, 2009, Disney Pearl Imprint released Yanni Voices, the artist's first studio album in six years, and its Buena Vista Concerts division produced the tour that began in April 2009.[13] Yanni Voices became Billboard 's second best selling New Age Album of 2009 and fifth best selling New Age album of 2010.[12]
The Yanni Live in South America tour included September 2010 performances in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, and a November 2010 performance in Puerto Rico.[14] Performances in Mexico (January 2011) and Panama (February 2011) were followed by a 43-stop tour of Canada and the United States.[15] In September-November 2011, Yanni toured fifteen stops in Eastern Europe and Asia.[16]
The album Yanni Mexicanisimo, released in October 2010, was dedicated as a tribute to Mexico, a combination of Mexican music with Yanni’s style.[17] It became the #7 selling New Age album of 2011.[18]
The album Truth of Touch was released in February 2011, and went on to become the top-selling New Age album of 2011.[19][18]
As with Yanni's earlier concerts at the Acropolis, the Taj Mahal, and Royal Albert Hall, Yanni's December 2011 concerts at El Morro castle in Puerto Rico were the subject of a PBS special, with corresponding CDs and DVDs being produced.[20][21]
The five month long "An Evening with Yanni" tour began in March 2012, starting in Mexico (2 stops), and continuing to the United States (66 stops) and Canada (14 stops).[22]
Yanni's 2010-2012 tours included new vocalists, distinct from the 2008–2009 Yanni Voices vocalists.[14]
Yanni’s music was "adopted by"[23] the New Age movement as it gained mainstream momentum; it is also described as contemporary instrumental.[23] The composer/pianist's music has been said to reflect his encounters with cultures around the world[24][25] and embody a philosophy of “One World, One People.”[25] In this vein, Booth Newspapers' Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk perceived the eclectic inspirations of Yanni's music to be the secret of his success: Yanni's "Middle Eastern and Oriental scales and mixed meters sound just exotic enough to entice his middle-of-the-road fans, but not so authentic as to mystify folks who grew up with a backbeat, so you can’t lose it," adding that certain songs "leave you with a sense that you’ve just heard a bit of a steel drum or a Greek bouzouki or a Japanese koto or possibly all three."[26]
Howie Grapek remarked in The Palm Beach Post's PBPulse that "there are few modern-day composers with a unique sense of music and style which is truly their own. To compare new-age music with classic rock is a stretch, but for Yanni, it is possible. This Greek composer marries contemporary new-age spirituality with today’s pop attitudes and delivers a unique sound."[27]
Grapek described an April 2012 performance: "The show was much more than a one-man keyboard show—throughout the evening, Yanni continued to showcase each of the band member’s talents with long solos. ... Each individual contributor is spotlighted. ... (Yanni) loves giving them the opportunity to shine individually."[27] Booth Newspapers' Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk commented that Yanni "has great sidemen – always has."[26]
The Augusta Chronicle's Kelly Jasper noted that most of Yanni's music is instrumental, indicating that Yanni surmised that the lack of lyrics is what allowed his music to become popular internationally.[28] Yanni explained: "There are no lyrics in my music for the most part, so the whole message is transmitted through the rhythm, melody, and sounds, and I think that has to do with crossing all the borders and being able to go to different countries.”[28] However, Yanni performed with four vocalists in Yanni Voices (2008-2009), and performed with two vocalists on tours (2010-2012) and in the Yanni Live at El Morro, Puerto Rico concerts (December 2011) and CD/DVD (2012).[14]
Yanni’s concerts are known for their lighting and other technical aspects.[29] Commenting on Yanni's "great lighting" on the stage and "plenty of reverb in the audience," Booth Newspapers' Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk remarked that a Yanni concert "can be an intoxicating experience."[26]
In addition to performing at historic venues such as Royal Albert Hall,[20] Yanni has been permitted to perform at such world landmarks as the Athens Herodion Theatre of the Acropolis of Athens (Greece), the Taj Mahal (Agra, India), the Forbidden City (Beijing, China), the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building; Dubai, United Arab Emirates),[30] the Kremlin (Moscow, Russia),[31] and the Castillo San Felipe del Morro (Fort San Felipe del Morro) (UNESCO World Heritage Site, in San Juan, Puerto Rico).[32]
Yanni's music has been used "in television shows and televised sporting events, including the Super Bowl, Wide World of Sports, U.S. Open, Tour de France, the World Figure Skating Championships and the Olympic Games."[19]
During Yanni's October 2011 tour of China, Yanni became the first Western artist to be invited to adopt a giant panda (bear) at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a "privilege... usually reserved for countries rather than personalities."[33] "Officials from the research base invited the musician to adopt the animal, saying their decision was made from the inspiration and harmony that derives from his music."[34] Yanni named the panda "Santorini," also the name of a Greek island, explaining that the Greek word irini means 'peace'."[33][34]
Billboard named Yanni No. 1 "New Age Album Artist" of 2011.[35] He was named to the same list in 2010 (ranked No. 4), 2009 (No. 3), 2007 (No. 4), and 2006 (No. 4).[35]
Various Yanni albums peaked at No. 1 in Billboard's "Top New Age Album" category, including Reflections of Passion (1990), In My Time (1993), Live at the Acropolis (1994), Devotion: The Best of Yanni (1997), In the Mirror (1997), Tribute (1997), Love Songs (1999), If I Could Tell You (2000), Ethnicity (2004), Ultimate Yanni (2004), Live: The Concert Event (2006), Voices (2009) and Truth of Touch (2011).[36] Also, Live at the Acropolis (1994) peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200; Live: The Concert Event (2006) peaked at No. 6 in Billboard's Top Independent Albums category; and Voices [Bonus Tracks] (2009) peaked at No. 5 in Billboard's Latin Pop Album category.[36]
In addition to earning a B.A. in psychology in 1976 from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Yanni received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2005.[24]
Yanni has had a collaborative relationship with the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in its fundraising efforts since the early years of his career,[20] reportedly raising more than $13 million for that organization.[23]
To assist the conservation efforts the World Wide Fund for Nature (the World Wildlife Fund, WWF), Yanni sponsored a symbolic "Panda Adoption Kit" program in which he guaranteed $50,000 in donations during a period coinciding with his North American tour from April 17 to August 19, 2012.[37]
Yanni's autobiography, Yanni in Words, co-authored by David Rensin and Brendan Rossi, was released in February 2003. It is a memoir which includes information about his early childhood in Greece, his college years in Minnesota, his success as an international music artist with his exploration into the creative process by which he composes, and his nine-year relationship with actress Linda Evans. The book coincided with the release of his 13th album Ethnicity and was a New York Times best seller.
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This article's references may not meet Wikipedia's guidelines for reliable sources. Please help by checking whether the references meet the criteria for reliable sources. (December 2009) |
- ^ a b c "Yanni Career Highlights" (PDF). yanni.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080228203140/http://www.yanni.com/presskit/yannicareerhighlights.pdf. Retrieved December 21, 2006. [better source needed]
- ^ Deming, Mark (November 14, 1954). "Yanni". AllMusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p2850. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
- ^ a b Yanni.com biography. Retrieved June 13, 2011
- ^ Yanni; Rensin, David (2002). Yanni in Words. Miramax Books. ISBN 1-4013-5194-8.
- ^ "Charlie Adams Official bio". charlieadams.org. http://www.charlieadams.org/about.html. Retrieved August 17, 2007.
- ^ Yanni Live at the Acropolis (CD liner). Private Music. 1994.
- ^ "Windham Hill". Archived from the original on November 9, 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20061109082713/http://www.windham.com/artists/artist.jsp?id=111433#bio. Retrieved January 1, 2007.
- ^ Maher, Jack, "Yanni set to perform at Red Rocks in July" (WebCite archive), KUSA (TV) (9News.com), May 21, 2012.
- ^ a b "The Mozart Effect". epilepsy.org. http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/mozart.html. Retrieved August 7, 2007.
- ^ a b Yanni; Rensin, David (2002). Yanni in Words. Miramax Books. p. 67. ISBN 1-4013-5194-8.
- ^ a b c "Interview with Armen Anassian from the Toledo Blade". serve.com. February 1, 1998. http://www.serve.com/gregl7/armen.htm. Retrieved November 14, 2007.
- ^ a b c d Links to Billboard 's "Best of (year) / New Age Albums" for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
- ^ Cohen, Jonathan (November 14, 2008). "Yanni Brings 'Voices' To Disney". Billboard Magazine (billboard.com). http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003891309. Retrieved November 16, 2008.
- ^ a b c Craveiro, Rodrigo, "Em show em São Paulo, pianista Yanni fez passeio por sucessos da carreira" (In a Sao Paulo show, pianist Yanni goes for the success of a career), Correio Braziliense, published September 23, 2010 (WebCite archive), mentions vocalists Lisa Lavie and Ann McCormack (distinct from the Yanni Voices vocalists). See also WebCite archives of Yanni.com's "Artists" page (archived 2010-11-09) and tour schedule (archived 2010-09-12). Vocalists Lisa Lavie and Lauren Jelencovich (website moderator archive) performed in the Puerto Rico show and the subsequent tour of Mexico, Canada, the U.S., Eastern Europe and Asia ("Artists" page archive of January 27, 2011).
- ^ WebCite archives of tour (2010-11-29, includes Mexico), (2011-02-08, includes Panama), and (2011-03-21, includes update for Canada and U.S.).
- ^ September 2011 WebCite archives of Yanni's tour itinerary and artist listing. Early review, specifying performers: "Yanni la Bucuresti sau cum viseli pot deveni realitate" (Yanni in Bucharest, or how dreams can become reality) (WebCite archive), featured articles of 121.ro (Romania), September 15, 2011.
- ^ "Yanni Mexicanisimo – Mexican music with Yanni’s style". lanval.com. September 3, 2010. http://lanval.com/news/?p=1480. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Best of 2011 / New Age Albums" (WebCite archive), Billboard (magazine). Truth of Touch listed at No. 1, Yanni Mexicanisimo at No. 7. Downloaded and archived 2011-12-30.
- ^ a b c d e Bekheet, Diaa, "Yanni’s North America Tour, Truth of Touch" (WebCite archive), Voice of America News, Jazz Beat, January 23, 2012.
- ^ a b c Olsen, John P., "Yanni Concert – Live on PBS" (WebCite archive), New Age Music World, February 29, 2012.
- ^ "Yanni 'Live in El Morro' PBS Schedule" (original link), scribd.com (WebCite archive of 2012-03-08).
- ^ "An Evening with Yanni": ● WebCite archive (2012-03-11) of 2012 tour schedule. ● WebCite archive (2012-03-21) of corresponding ConcertTour.org listing. ● WebCite archive (2012-03-21) of Yannin's artists page.
- ^ a b c Puckett, Jeffrey Lee, "Yanni up close: Musician known for larger-than-life venues also loves the Louisville Palace" (WebCite archive), The Courier-Journal, April 26, 2012.
- ^ a b Francisco, Mollee, "Let's Go: Around the world with Yanni" (WebCite archive), The Chanhassen Villager, April 28, 2012.
- ^ a b Sickler, Linda, "Yanni to Savannah: 'I can't wait to see you'" (WebCite archive), Savannah Morning News, (SavannahNow.com), May 26, 2012.
- ^ a b c Kaczmarczyk, Jeffrey, "Yanni leaves DeVos Performance Hall audience hungry for more in Monday's appearance in Grand Rapids" (WebCite archive), Booth Newspapers (Grand Rapids, Michigan) (mLive.com), May 8, 2012.
- ^ a b Grapek, Howie, "Yanni makes classic rock fan appreciate new-age style" (WebCite archive), "The Palm Beach Pulse" (PBPulse) section of The Palm Beach Post, April 18, 2012.
- ^ a b Jasper, Kelly, "Yanni to bring world music to Augusta fans" (WebCite archive), The Augusta Chronicle, May 22, 2012.
- ^ Burke, David, "Yanni brings world of experience to concert" (WebCite archive), Quad-City Times, May 3, 2012.
- ^ Rai, Bindu Suresh, "Burj Khalifa: Yanni's next landmark concert venue" (WebCite archive), Emirates 24/7, September 21, 2011.
- ^ "Kremlin Palace / Tuesday, Nov. 01, 2011" (WebCite archive), pollstar.com. "Yanni live in Moscow, Russian Federation" (WebCite archive), bandsintown.com.
- ^ "Yanni to play at CMAC in June" (WebCite archive), Finger Lakes Times, December 12, 2011. "Mañana inicia venta de boletos para concierto de Yanni en El Morro" (Tomorrow begins concert tickets sales for Yanni in El Morro) (WebCite archive), PrimeraHora, September 23, 2011.
- ^ a b Davidson, Mike (reporting), "Greek musician Yanni adopts panda." (WebCite archive--video on left; click on "(Transcript)" on right), Reuters, October 12, 2011.
- ^ a b "Greek musician Yanni adopts panda" (WebCite archive), Sky News Australia, October 12, 2011.
- ^ a b "Best of 2011 / New Age Album Artists" (WebCite archive), Billboard (magazine). To see previous years' listings, manually change the "2011" in the URL to the desired year (Billboard archives go back to 2006 only).
- ^ a b Yanni / Billboard albums (WebCite archive), Allmusic's listing of Billboard's album data, sorted by peak, viewed and archived 2012-04-29.
- ^ "Adopt a WWF & Yanni “Santorini” Panda" in the "Gift Center" of the World Wide Fund for Nature (World Wildlife Fund) (WWF) website. WebCite archive of 2012-04-09.
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Yanni |
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| Short description |
greek musician |
| Date of birth |
1954-11-14 |
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