Quintessence Billy Pod

• 1Unprecedented05:37
• 2Elysium06:13
• 3Quintessence05:20
• 4Valse Triste04:23
• 5Kafkaesque05:32
• 6The Higher We Soar05:35
• 7No Beginning, No End03:43
• Total Runtime36:23

Info for Quintessence

London’s vibrant scene is widely known as an international hub for some of the world’s most forward-thinking jazz musicians. Greek drummer Billy Pod brings together a cast of homegrown musicians and fellow expats for his sophomore album ‘Quintessence’.

The record follows his 2019 release ‘Drums to Heal Society’ which saw him named by the French Magazine ‘Batterie’ as one of the ‘Top 10 New and Upcoming Drummers’ and facilitated a move from Athens to the UK capital.

Unlike his playing, the timing was not great: he arrived as covid lockdowns swept the country and reduced the chances for networking and new collaborations.

Nonetheless, in just two years he has gone on to collaborate with some of the city’s leading jazz musicians including Jim Mullen, Rob Luft, Dave O’ Higgins and Mornington Lockett and arrives at the end of 2022 with a new band and a fresh album.

Vasileios Podaras (aka Billy Pod) has recorded over 20 records as a sideman and toured Europe, the USA and Asia for more than a decade with acclaimed artists such as Tivon Pennicott, JD Walter and Dionisis Savopoulos.

"A reflection on the intellectual nature of humanity in modern society, ‘Quintessence’ sees Billy Pod refine his skills as a drummer, bandleader, composer and producer. With a modern approach to groove at the record’s core, Billy Pod’s laid-back style borrows not just from jazz but from dance music too. Lyrical melodies, emotive harmony and thoughtful songwriting offer a rich musical landscape within which some of London’s most in-demand players showcase their individuality."

Tom Ollendorff, guitar
Rupert Cox, piano, Wurlitzer, synthesizer
Mirko Scarcia, double bass
Billy Pod, drums

Billy Pod
is the artist name of Greek born drummer/musician Vasileios Podaras - currently based in London, UK.

His album "Drums to Heal Society" that was released in 2019 has not just given Vasileios Podaras (aka Billy Pod) a prominent position among the new generation of drummers internationally, but has also demonstrated his compelling skills as a composer and music ensemble director.

After attaining a well-rounded music education with BA and MA in jazz performance, he has been working internationally for more than ten years performing festivals and touring around Europe, USA and Asia. He has recorded more than 20 albums as a sideman and he has a long list of performances with acclaimed artists from award winning saxophonist Tivon Pennicott, New York acclaimed vocalist Jd Walter, to Greek music legend Dionisis Savopoulos.

He has been added in the list of 'Top 10 new and upcoming drummers' by French ‘Βatterie’ Μagazine and he has performed at the Tribeca Performing Arts Centre in New York as a finalist of the Made In New York International Jazz Competition.

Ηe left Athens to relocate in London in 2020 and since then, he has already worked with a number of leading jazz artist in the London Jazz Scene: Jim Mullen (album recording in London), Rob Luft (BBC NGA recording session at Maida Vale Studios), Dave o’ Higgins, Mornington Lockett, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Gilad Atzmon among others.

His second official album entitled ‘Quintessence’ is a reflection on the intellectual nature of humanity in the modern society and features his new quartet with some of the most upcoming musicians in the London jazz music scene : Tom Ollendorff on Guitar, Rupert Cox on Piano and Mirko Scarcia on bass.

Dynamic and lyrical contemporary jazz with haunting melodies and rich, complex moods.

This album contains no booklet.