George Syran R.I.P.

[garthsj]

This was posted on the west coast board this morning:

Pianist George Syrianoudis died 12/29/04. George played piano with Dick

Meldonian and Sonny Igoe's band.He lived in Cresskill,NJ and was known

in his musical career as George Syran.A memorial and visitation service

will be held on Monday January 3 2-4pm at the Barrett Funeral home 148

Dean Dr. Tenafly,NJ. Information at www.barrettfuneralhome.net

Of course, I first encountered George Syran on the early Phil Woods album "Pot Pie" with Jon Eardley, and also on the Phil Sunkel Band album on ABC. He appears to be a fine musician. I am sure that he was featured on other bop related albums in the mid fifties. Anyone else out there know of them?

Garth.

[Michael Fitzgerald]

I know his work best from the "Phil and Quill With Prestige" LP but discographies show him on 10 sessions - 3 with Woods, 2 with Eardley, the Sunkel you mention all between 1954 and 1957, then 4 with Dick Meldonian in 1980-82.

Mike

[garthsj]

Thanks for the information Mike. I knew that he was on several significant sessions in my collection, and I did not have access to my index volume of our Belgian friend, whose name I can never remember how to spell .. I usually just call him Asterix ...

Off to play Phil and Quill ....

Garth.

Edited January 4, 2005 by garthsj

[Late]

Syran's composition "Leap Year," from Jon Eardley's OJC Seven, is a pleasingly odd piece. I love the piano intro, and then, how the horns are harmonized to repeat it ... very nice.

Overlooked for sure, but remembered by some!

[tooter]

George is on four of the eight tracks on this one, with Jon and J R Monterose. Nice stuff - listening to it now. The other pianist is Pete Jolly so he's in good company on the album.