Greece / Poland
Frutaloka is a project with a vivid concept, fresh energy and a strong southern temperament. Built around the idea of music inspired by fruit, the band turns each composition into a different flavour, colour and mood. The repertoire prepared for Bansko Jazz Festival consists entirely of original songs with titles such as Apricot, Banana, Strawberry, Papaya, Kiwi, Blueberry and Passion Fruit — a musical map where jazz meets Latin rhythms, funk, exotic percussion and a dance-driven groove.
At the heart of the project is bassist Giannis Biris, who studied at the Music Academy in Sofia and spent time in Birmingham, where the idea of Frutaloka began to take shape as a band. Vocalist Eleftheria Bargiota brings jazz sensitivity and an original artistic voice, while saxophonist Dimitris Gkatzidis, guitarist Mike Malamis, percussionist Chris Duke and drummer Kamil Kaczmarczyk complete the ensemble with a vibrant and rhythmically rich sound.
Frutaloka sounds like a celebration — artistic yet direct, colourful and full of movement. This is music that is not only heard, but experienced through rhythm, joy and the feeling of summer.