Tsomidis Iordanis

Ιορδάνης Τσομίδης {Iordanis Tsomides or Tsomidis} (1933-2006) was born in Kokkinia (Piraeaus), of refugee parents from Sampsounta. At twelve years old years he started to learn the bouzouki and the violin, going on to perform as a child prodigy. Aside from his music, he was also an athlete, and in 1950 became Greek junior 5,000-metres champion.
In his late teens he began touring Greece with various small groups, performing popular songs. Returning to Piraeus, he began to perform at Kokkinia’s “Peribola” with famous rembetis Prodromos Tsaousakis, establishing himself as one of the foremost bouzouki players.
In 1957 Tsomides, in common with many other musicians, moved the the United States; for about fifteen years he performed all over the country, becoming well-known among Greek expatriates, but also to the wider U.S. community, including the Hollywood set; his fans included Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda, and Shirley Shirley MacLaine. Among his recordings was the 1966 album Greek Cooking with jazz saxophonist Phil Woods.