About

Banda Magda

Led by Greek-born composer, orchestrator, singer and accordionist Magda Giannikou (Kronos Quartet, Louis CK), Banda Magda moves from samba to French chanson, from Greek folk tunes to Colombian

cumbia and Afro-Peruvian lando. Drawing on the band’s global background (Greece, Argentina, Japan, Colombia, USA), the group combines South American rhythms with jazz improvisation, cinematic arranging, sophisticated audience participation, mid-century classics and world “chansons” sung in 6 languages.

Founded in 2010 in New York, Banda Magda has toured in more than 22 countries and 5 continents. This group of close musical friends turn Giannikou’s songs into engaging romps that have won them a spot with Carnegie Hall Musical Explorers Series, Snarky Puppy’s Family Dinner Vol.1 as well as performances at discerning venues and festivals such as WOMAD, Atlanta Jazz Festival, Vancouver Jazz Festival, L’Olympia, Jazz à Vienne, Canarias Jazz, Apollo Hammersmith, The Kennedy Center, Kathmandu Jazz Festival and many more. After their debut album "Amour, t’es là?” and sophomore “Yerakina”, Banda Magda is producing their 3rd opus, the vibrant, Technicolor "Tigre" to be released in 2017.

   After the success of their brilliantly colorful debut album, Amour, t’es là? (Top 10 Billboard World Music Charts, NPR’s All Songs Considered, First Listen, NPR’s 10 favorite World Music Albums 2013), the Banda is back with Yerakina (on Ropeadope/groundUP; release: September 2014). The album, co-produced by GRAMMY Award-winners Michael League (Snarky Puppy) and Fab Dupont (Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Bebel Gilberto), shows the next step in the Banda’s devotion to their craft and their sound, featuring Technicolor folk songs and pop chestnuts played with dynamic finesse.