Lina Koutrakos & The Low Country

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“Lightning in a Bottle” isn’t just the name of one of Lina Koutrakos’ hit songs; it also describes the artist herself! I hadn’t had the chance to see this group before, and I am sorry for the missed opportunities. From the moment Ms. Koutrakos begins to sing, the audience is transported by the pulsing rhythms and the hard beats to her southern roots by way of her Greek heritage. You can hear the rain drops falling as “Southern Rain” takes you out to the front porch

to see the “old familiar faces of my home,” while “Without A Trace” tells us about the courage to leave when it’s necessary. Just when you are lulled into the spell of safety that her music weaves, she lashes out with the hard rocking “Lightning in a Bottle,” working you into a frenzy you won’t want to come out of. Cue: cheering.

I could go on about each and every song that this super talented artist and her outstanding band perform, but you really need to experience it yourself. I know that I’ll be there again and again. Her band consisted of Rob Simpson on bass, Ted Stafford on acoustic guitar, Greg Pliska on keyboards, Dan Gross on drums and Jean Pierre Perreaux on electric guitar.

Ms. Koutrakos is the winner of numerous awards including the Certificate of Merit from the American Songwriter Magazine for a song written with co-writers Dan Gross and Johnny Rodgers, MAC (Manhattan Assoc. Cabarets & Clubs) Award, the Village Voice Award for Best Rock Newcomer and France’s prestigious Petite Piaf Award, all for Best Female Vocalist, plus ASCAP awards for her songwriting.

For more about this amazing powerhouse of a performer visit her website www.koutrakos.com

For the next 4 months, Lina Koutrakos and the Low Country will be doing 2 shows a night on the 3^rd Tuesday of the month at the legendary Iridium Jazz Club. From the Bottom Line to B.B King, they are the first band making “Jazz at the Iridium,” “Rock & Roll at the Iridium”!!!!! Upcoming dates: Tuesday, April 20^th 8pm and 10pm. Iridium Jazz Club is located at 1650 Broadway (at 51^st St) (212)582-2121