Sakis Gouzonis: About

Welcome to the About section of the website.

Here you can read in plain text and download in PDF format the full biography of Sakis Gouzonis. Over the last five years, without having any assistance from record labels, management/booking agencies or marketing companies, Sakis has released 5 successful studio albums, he has won a total of 7 international music awards and 3 international distinctions, and he has gained more than 430.000 registered listeners in 220 countries/territories. People call him a phenomenon.

"Checking out the world of electronic music as presented by Sakis Gouzonis is like traveling on a journey to the most wondrous and mystical of places." - Kenneth Morton

Sakis Gouzonis

Sakis Gouzonis (Greek: Σάκης Γκουζώνης, pronounced: 'sakis gou'zonis, listen), more often referred to as Sakis, is a multi award winning composer, orchestrator, arranger, producer, and performer of electronic music.

His music is based on the idea of taking the listener on a journey full of emotions, giving the listener a whole new experience. In addition, his music defies all borders and speaks to people of all nations and cultures in a unique and powerful way.

..:: In The Beginning ::..

Sakis was born on 16 March 1978 to Nicolas and Frideriki Gouzonis, in a humble apartment of fifteen square meters in Thessaloniki, Greece. Two brothers named George and Peter would follow.

At the age of ten, Sakis and his family moved to the town of Elassona, which is located at the foot of Mount Olympus, the mythic place of the twelve Olympian gods.

..:: The Early Years ::..

Sakis had always dreamed of having his own musical instrument. In 1990, his dream came true. His parents bought him an electronic keyboard. He was so happy that he started playing music immediately. Sakis had the innate ability to play by ear, to improvise, to arrange music and to create compositions.

At the age of sixteen, his parents bought him a semi-professional electronic keyboard. He would spend countless hours creating sounds, composing, arranging, and playing music live.

After finishing Senior High School, Sakis released two remix compilations of well-known Christian hymns. The first remix compilation was released in 1996, and the second one in 1998. A lot of people around the world were blessed, and sent him many encouraging letters. Moreover, some of his remixes were broadcast on Greek radio.

From July 1997 to January 1999, Sakis served in the Greek Army. During his service, he was given the opportunity to perform for the General of the First Army. It was a great honor for Sakis.

In 2000, Sakis was asked to play keyboards in a band that was backing up Greek singer Costas Fragoraptis. Sakis's ability to play the keyboard very accurately left the studio audio engineer speechless. They released two successful albums in 2000, and 2001. All songs were aired by Greek radio stations.

In 2001, Sakis began working as an English teacher in a private school, and a year later, he bought his first professional music workstation.

Two months before the 2004 Olympic Games, Sakis moved to Athens. While there, he continued composing music and working as an English teacher.

Three years and three months later, Sakis returned to the town of Elassona, where he still lives and works today.

..:: His Musical Career ::..

In 2007, Sakis participated in the International Composition Competition 2007. This competition is an annual event that gives artists and bands worldwide an invaluable opportunity to promote their music. Sakis won 3rd Prize for his original music composition Anthem Of Love, and 1st Commendation for his original music composition Give Me A Chance.

On 17 October 2007, Sakis created an official page on MySpace, the world's largest music social network. It would soon become the most popular Greek music page in the history of MySpace. In a short period of time, Sakis topped the MySpace Music Charts at #1 in Greece. Today, Sakis is still the most popular Greek artist on MySpace, having more than 380.000 fans. He receives a respectable number of daily visits and messages from a worldwide audience, and he always takes the time to respond to each and every individual that makes contact with him on a personal level.

Since 1 August 2008, people from all parts of the world have been visiting Sakis's official website, www.SakisGouzonis.com, on a daily basis. His official website is one of the most visited artist websites in Greece and internationally. It includes detailed biography, complete discography, a frequently updated electronic press kit, press releases, album reviews, interviews in English and Greek, questions & answers, articles in English and Greek, contests with great prizes, news, contact details, links, and more. It is overflowing with melodic electronic and cinematic music.

On 8 August 2008, Sakis released his long-awaited 1st studio album entitled "First Contact" in MP3 and CD format. The album features ten new tracks that range from atmospheric downtempo music to breathtaking uptempo music. "First Contact" is Sakis's first contact with the world as a composer of his own original music. Sakis received excellent reviews for his first studio album, as well as thousands of e-mails from every continent on earth. European and international radio stations began to broadcast his music.

"...Definitely a world class act, tunes such as 'Anthem Of Love', 'A Star Brighter Than Others', and 'Give Me A Chance' enchant the senses with their sheer vibrancy. 'Elegy' is especially sweeping, sounding like a grand score to a big Hollywood epic..."

- Kenneth Morton, Highwire Daze e-magazine

In the same year, Sakis also participated in the International Composition Competition 2008 that was held in Greece. This competition is so well respected in the music industry that it receives many entries from Greek and international artists every year. Sakis won 3rd Prize for his original music composition Elegy.

In late 2008, Sakis started using three more music social networks in order to promote his music to even more listeners, iSound, PureVolume, and IMRadio. Quickly enough, he managed to become the most popular Greek artist on all three music social networks. Additionally, on IMRadio, he managed to become not only the most popular Greek artist, but also the most popular international artist in a short period of time.

On 9 September 2009, Sakis released his 2nd studio album entitled "New Earth" in MP3 and CD format. The album features ten new tracks that radiate new faith and new hope. As always, Sakis takes every musical skill he has, and crafts unique, memorable tunes. Greek and foreign music reviewers and journalists wrote beautiful reviews about "New Earth", and thousands of people from all over the world sent e-mails to Sakis to congratulate him. European and international radio stations added the album to their rotation.

"...One of the most popular artists on IMRadio, Sakis has given us 'From The Sky', 'Eternal Peace', and 'Elohim'. These instrumentals can mesmerize and inspire any listener anywhere on the globe..."

- MC Rydel, IMRadio

In the same year, Sakis participated in the UK Songwriting Contest 2009 that was held in the United Kingdom. Almost 6.000 songs were submitted to the UK Songwriting Contest by artists from all over the world. Sakis was awarded a Semi-Finalist certificate for his original music composition Elohim.

During the 2nd Meeting of Music & Poetry that was held on 14 November 2009 in Greece, Sakis was awarded 1st Prize for his New Earth album. This Prize is awarded by the chairman of the International Art Society Mr. Yorgos Foudoulis, who is also the director of the Examination Center of the Trinity College and the Conservatory bearing his name.

In 2009, Sakis also participated in the International Composition Competition 2009. Judges for this prestigious contest are music industry professionals who look for artists and bands whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence. Sakis won 2nd Prize for his original music composition Elohim.

In 2010, Sakis participated in the UK Songwriting Contest 2010 that was held in the United Kingdom. There were over 5.000 entries this year from the United States of America, Canada, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Europe. Sakis was awarded two Semi-Finalist certificates for his original music compositions Elegy, and Eternal Peace. 2010 judges included the top producer, musical director and doctor of music Richard Niles, the top producer and songwriter Simon Ellis, the well known BBC Radio Controller Lesley Douglas (now a Director and Head of TV at Universal Music UK), the Stage's writer, blogger and BBC radio guest expert Scott Matthewman and many others.

On 10 October 2010, Sakis released his 3rd studio album entitled "The Tree Of Life" in MP3 and CD format. The album features ten new tracks that bring healing and positive thinking. "The Tree Of Life" received very positive reviews by Greek and foreign music reviewers and journalists. Sakis's unique gift of creating music that brings healing to others is remarkable. People of all backgrounds from all parts of the world sent numerous e-mails to Sakis in order to thank him for all the positive feelings and sense of bliss that his music brings to them. The album also received airplay in Europe and internationally.

"...One thing I love about this CD [The Tree Of Life] is that it causes my brain to think in images rather than words as I listen... It's not simply the lack of lyrics that causes that, but the vibrant and evocative tones that Sakis chooses. He is able to create a living, visual landscape through his music, which seems rare for electronica..."

- Michael Doherty, Michael Doherty's Music Log blog

In 2010, Sakis participated in the International Composition Competition 2010. This contest invites entries from Greece and all other parts of the world, and it is supported by highly respected names in music today. Sakis won 1st Prize for his original music compositions Eternal Peace, and Seed Of Hope. That was also the last time that Sakis took part in a composition competition.

In the summer of 2011, Sakis decided to distribute his music through his official website for free. All previous releases were put online as a free download, so that all listeners can download his music for free, and share it with their families, friends, and colleagues.

On 11 November 2011, Sakis released his 4th studio album entitled "Ultimate Love" in MP3 format. The album features ten new tracks recorded the summer and fall of 2011 at the foot of Mount Olympus. "Ultimate Love" has all the energy and excitement his fans have come to expect. Sakis received a lot of enthusiastic reactions from his worldwide audience, as well as wonderful reviews by Greek and international music reviewers and journalists. Radio stations in Greece and abroad added the album to their playlists.

"...'Strong' is a very melodic and well-produced song... 'Like The Sun' would be the perfect song for the end of a sad movie, leading into the credits... 'Everyday Protection' has the perfect pop music structure... Gouzonis is an excellent producer and songwriter..."

- Daniel Miller, Blazing Minds blog

On 20 February 2012, all studio albums were upgraded to version 2.0 for better sound quality. On 30 November 2012, version 3.0 replaced the previous version.

On 9 May 2012, www.SakisGouzonis.com was moved to faster and more efficient servers. Due to the incredible popularity of the website, things started slowing down. Now, all listeners can download music faster.

On 12 December 2012, Sakis released his 5th studio album entitled "Vast Victory" in MP3 format. The album features ten new tracks full of impressive beats, exciting synth chords, and amazing melodies. A lot of positive reviews and articles about "Vast Victory" were published by Greek and international music reviewers and journalists. As always, Sakis received a flood of supportive and encouraging e-mails from his international fans and friends. In addition, the album received airplay by Greek and international radio stations.

Sakis is the first internationally successful Greek independent artist. His international audience is very big and active. Since 2007, Sakis has gained more than 430.000 registered listeners in 220 countries/territories. He is the only Greek independent artist to have reached that level of fame and success.

Sakis has an extensive history of touring and playing live. Since 1995, he has given more than 1.000 live performances in many Greek cities and towns, such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Larisa, Volos, Katerini, Trikala, Serres, Kavala, Drama, Korinthos, Karditsa, and Elassona. Many thousands of people have attended his live performances.

Since the release of his first studio album in 2008, Sakis has received a lot of press coverage from media outlets around the world, such as AltSounds music community [1], IMRadio [2], Blazing Minds blog [3] [4], Christianity Today e-magazine [5], Highwire Daze e-magazine [6] [7], The Phantom Tollbooth e-magazine [8], CountryHome e-magazine [9], The Church of England newspaper [10], and Cross Rhythms media ministry [11]. Sakis and his music have also been featured many times on some of the biggest Greek newspapers, blogs, e-magazines, and portals, such as Eleftheria newspaper [12], Imerisios Kirikas newspaper [13] [14] [15], Eparhiakos Logos newspaper [16] [17] [18] [19], Zougla blog [20] [21] [22] [23], Tro-ma-ktiko blog [24] [25], Net Periodiko e-magazine [26], iNews portal [27] [28], Palo portal [29] [30] [31], Tralala portal [32] [33] [34], and Mic portal [35]. In total, more than 90 reviews, interviews, and articles have been published by the international and Greek press.

Sakis Gouzonis is currently working on his 6th studio album, which is expected to be released on 13 August 2013.

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Latest Update: 11 May 2013