He died at the age of 69 George Maggas, nicknamed musician “king of the clarinet”.

The news of his death was Spyros Bibilas, writes on facebook:

“With great sadness, I was informed that the clarinet virtuoso and the king of festivals, the wonderful Giorgos Maggas, has passed away from us! I met him on one of our tours with Giannis Mortzos 20 years ago in Ioannina in a small tavern and he told me along with his wonderful partner Zuli that they love me and admire me. We became friends! He invited the whole troupe to the festival, and when we entered, he saw us and said in his beautiful voice: “I welcome the troupe of my beloved Spyros Bibilas… I did not know how to assemble it, because I was just collaborating with the troupe of Giannis Morcu … We laughed so much … Have a nice trip, wonderful George Maga, we will miss you very much … The courage of Zulis.

Giorgos Maggas was born in Livadia on August 23, 1952 into a musical family. His father was a famous clarinet player, but he didn’t show him anything because he wanted him to see a doctor. Giorgos Maggas, despite all this, has been making music since childhood. He first learned to play the flute and then the clarinet.

At the age of 18, he began playing in provincial shops and fairs and accompanying famous Greek folk music performers. His fame quickly spread beyond Greece and he performed at many festivals in France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, England and Canada. He played with Tuxedomoon at the Lavrion Tech Park and even played at a party at Pacha on Ibit.

MTV called him the “Greek Phenomenon of Balkan Jazz”.. What made him stand out was that he only played with a clarinet mouthpiece. Also characteristic was his special outfit of lamé suits in whimsical colors and patterns, made by his partner Julie Cinieri.