The Greek musical requires a rare player of this mandolinlike instrument. Emmanuel Gonatos of Palm Harbor saves the day.
By TERRI D. REEVES
Published March 19, 2004
TARPON SPRINGS - Kathy Monahan got a little panicky when she started searching for a bouzouki player for the musical Zorba.
Bouzoukis, long-necked, pear-shaped instruments that produce a bell-like resonance, have become synonymous with Greek culture and music. But people who can play them are a rare commodity.
Mastering the mandolinlike instrument takes years of study and practice. The commercial market for bouzouki musicians is narrow. And young Greek-Americans often find themselves drawn to American pop music.
But a Greek musical without a bouzouki would be like Greek baklava without the honey.
"We were concerned," said Monahan, director of cultural and civic services for the city. "There are several players in the area, but they were busy playing on the weekends."
Fortunately, one local player was available.
Emmanuel Gonatos, 36, of Palm Harbor had given up his Greek band two years ago to spend more time with his growing family and business. Sixteen months ago, he and his wife, Voula, had their first baby, a son named Nicholas. He also owns Ghost Systems, an audio, video and low voltage electronics business. Still, he finds time to practice his beloved eight-stringed instrument.
Coincidentally, it was Monahan's husband, Ted Grame, who was instrumental in helping Gonatos become a skilled bouzouki player. As the music director for the Hellenic Arts Program, he helped secure a state grant to offer bouzouki lessons at Tarpon Springs Middle School years ago.
"If we hadn't had that program, then we may not have had a bouzouki player today," Monahan said.
The grant money eventually ran out, the program was canceled and the classes haven't been offered since.
After middle school, Gonatos continued with private bouzouki lessons. Among his teachers was Spiros Skordilis, a noted singer, composer and musician in Greece and the United States.
Eventually, Gonatos formed his own Greek band called Parea, later known as Orpheus. The five-piece band played in festivals and weddings throughout the southeastern United States from 1989 to 2002. Now Gonatos will play for Zorba, which begins today at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center.
"I feel honored to be a part of this Greek musical," he said.
He says that whenever he plays the instrument, people want to come up close, look and touch it.
"Most of them have never seen anything like it," he said.
Monahan said she hopes to keep the bouzouki tradition going.
