Elly Paspala

Elly Paspala (Έλλη Πασπαλά ) was born on May 17 in New York of Greek parents. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music where she studied voice with Soprano Judith Raskin. She studied acting with the actor William Hickey at New York’s H.B Studios. While studying at Manhattan and after graduation, she gave many concerts throughout U.S and Canada as well as performing in operatic productions, one of which was the New York production of director Bob Wilson and composer Gavin Bryar’s opera “Medea”.

Elly Paspala came to Athens in 1982 where she immediately began her exclusive musical association with Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis which lasted until 1988. After this extraordinary experience, Elly Paspala continued to develop her artistic identity by beginning a solo career releasing her first album “In the Glow of the Moon” in 1988. It is an album containing 11 songs written by internationally renowned songwriters and composers such as Kurt Weill, Randy Newman, Nino Rota, Nicola Piovanni and others. Elly Paspala was the supporting act for Randy Newman in his Athens concerts in 1989. Paspala’s rendition of Kurt Weill’s “Youkali” was included in the 1990 Sony Japan’s cd collection “European Female Favorites”.

In 1990, she released her second solo album, “Island of the Lotus Eaters”, with songs written in greek by composer Stamos Semsis and lyricist Vasilis Nikolaidis. Due to its success this same album was later recorded in London with english lyrics written by Lawrence Roman and released under the title “Living a Lie” in 1993.
Elly Paspala’s passion for performing and her love of direct contact with the audience have led her to innumerable performances throughout Greece, Europe, Japan and the United States. She has collaborated with some of Greece’s most illustrious composers, such as Manos Hadjidakis, Mikis Theodorakis, Dionysis Savvopoulos, Panayiotis Kalantzopoulos, Stamatis Kraounakis, Stamos Semsis, Evanthia Reboutsika, Nikos Xydakis, Lena Platonos and others.

The prestigious Athens Concert Hall (Megaron Mousikis) invited her to perform in January 1993. Elly accepted the challenge and this important moment in her career was recorded live and released as “Elly Paspala at Megaron Mousikis, The Athens Concert Hall” in 1993 including some of her most inspired interpretations in songs that vary from greek rembetiko composer Vasilis Tsitsanis to Kurt Weill, Tom Waits, Bill Withers and other unconventional choices.

In 1994, she collaborated for the first time with composer Stamatis Kraounakis on his album “Music for an Image. Lady Stiletto”. Included in her 1994 appearances was a benefit performance at the United Nations in New York, in honour of film director Jules Dassin. Her concerts also led her to Holland, where she took part in the Modern Greek Song Festival. In October of 1995, she was a feature artist for events scheduled in Atlanta in celebration of the Olympic Games. At the same time she had the chance to dive deep into greek music tradition at Harama in a program with Dimitra Galani.
Paspala worked with composer Panayiotis Kalantzopoulos to release her cd entitled “For the Habit of Love” in October 1997. Lyrics for the album include those written by Kalantzopoulos himself, Mihalis Ganas, Aris Davarakis, Eleni Zioga, Thodoris Gonis and Lydia Venieri.

In 2001 Paspala and two long time music collaborators David Lynch and Stavros Lantsias released a live recording of their performances with songs from various composers entitled “Trio. Elly Paspala, David Lynch, Stavros Lantsias”. Three people on stage with instruments for thirteen… After the tragic events of 9/11, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid tribute to the victims. Elly Paspala was invited to perform in a multi-media production presented at the Athens Concert Hall on September 11, 2002.

Her next cd “Which God Should I Believe In” was released in 2002. Paspala worked with composer Stamos Semsis and lyricists Nikos Moraitis and Yiorgos Hadzidakis. Paspala has developed a reputation as a fine musician and singer who also uses her musical gift to work with organizations that help those in need. She has performed many benefit concerts for organizations she believes in, including Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Frontiers), Greenpeace, and many others hoping to unite music with activism for those in need.

Paspala has expanded her musical repertoire to include performing on Disney films brought to Greece. Her most recent Disney film being: “Piglet: The Big Movie”. Paspala finds the Pooh characters important for children because they address the values of friendship, kindness and generosity.

Her latest performance in the U.S. will be held in Washington D.C on October 9th, where she will perform along with David Lynch and Stavros Lantsias in “Grecia Salentina” a musical tribute to the Greek speaking villages of Southern Italy.
She continues her selective concerts with demanding programs like the tribute to Manos Hadjidakis in collaboration with David Lynch and the guest appearances of Raining Pleasure, Alkinoos Ioannidis, Human Touch and Blaine Reininger (Tuxedo Moon) or the exquisite recital between two pianos with Stavros Lantsias entitled “Piano Lessons”. She also performs with Evanthia Reboutsika and Panayiotis Kalantzopoulos in various scenes throughout Greece up to date.

Her most recent cd entitled “The Dance of the Stars” was published in 2007 in collaboration with renowned greek female composer Evanthia Reboutsika and lyricist Eleni Zioga.