The Next Step Quintet
Biography The Next Step Quintet
The Next Step Quintet
was created in the fall of 2011 by five young and talented musicians: Orfeas Tsoukalas, Thodoris Kotsyfas, Giannis Papadopoulos, Ntinos Manos and Vasilis Podaras. They met as students at the Music Department of the Ionian University where they participated in a variety of projects.
In Athens they met by chance with the Greco-origin Orpheus Tsoukalas (Sweden) and realized that the five had a common vision of music.
In 2012 they released their debut album called ‘the next step quintet’ by the greek label called Puzzlemusik. The album release led to great reviews on the greek press and magazines,and followed by many concerts and festivals in Greece. Some of the latest performances featured JD Walter (Jante Jazz Festival in summer 2014) and Tivon Pennicott (two sold out concerts in fall).
The band released in November 27, 2015 their second album («2»), in which they present their new sound.
Winners of the international competition “Made In New York Jazz Competition 2016″, Category: Small Band.
“At the Zoo”, the 3rd Next Step album and their first as a Quartet, was released in June 5, 2020. The album includes 6 new tracks recorded live across a 5-night, sold-out residency at The Zoo Jazz Club, their musical home of Athens.
