Musically, I’ve always heard the strains of jazz and blues in the Greek urban blues folk music called rembetika. The three musical genres share the yearning for freedom and use improvisation as a key technique.

In late February 2016 we went to Athens, where friends told us to go to Fideio 2, a small bar near Athens University. One of the musicians, Antonis Priftis, was there early to tune his guitar and we heard him strumming some chords as we walked in.

Hmm, I said to myself as I sat down, those sound like jazz chords.

As we waited for the rembetika music to start, I got the opportunity to introduce myself as a jazz singer from Cyprus; he and his sound man were very warm and welcoming.

At 10:30, in a low-key way, the bouzouki player Thimios Skouraides and singer Maria sat with Antonis and set up their microphones, drinks and cigarettes.

Rembetika music is about not fitting in, about discontentment, exile, displacement, lost loves, hashish, and life’s bad luck. The music originated in the Ottoman massacres of the Greeks in Smyrna in the 1920s. It’s oddly comforting despite the subject matter, not only because the chords and melodies are so varied, but because of the feeling of catharsis and healing. After all, if you’re not alone in your difficult times, then they are easier to get through. This music tells you that you’re not alone; just like jazz and blues does. The roots of the music are in Asia Minor, so the oriental, Byzantine musical influences are all there.

Once they started playing, it was captivating. Maria’s husky alto voice poured pathos into the familiar melodies, and Thimios’ virtuoso playing on the bouzouki was fantastic. Antonis Priftis accompanied them perfectly, there was very good communication between the three of them; and they performed for four hours straight before they took their first break.

After the break, they asked me to join them in a song, and I sang my favourite Summertime with Antonis Briftis accompanying me. His interpretation and improvisation on the theme were a joy to hear and sing to, there is something very different about his playing and choice of chords; syncopated, sharp and inspiring. For him to be able to switch easily between the genres means he is not only an excellent musician but also someone who is used to improvising.

Antonis Priftis plays jazz around Athens with his Gypsy Quartet, do catch him if you get a chance, this is a very fluid and original performer. If you’re lucky enough to run into the rembetika trio he works with, sit back with a whiskey in hand and enjoy the experience, it’s unforgettable.