PODCAST: Banda Magda

Founded by Greek-born singer, film scorer, and composer Magda Giannikou '08Banda Magda deftly melds styles from samba to Greek folk to Columbian cumbia and has caught the attention of everyone from Kronos Quartet to Louis C.K.

March 9, 2015

Banda Magda

Founded by Greek-born singer, film scorer, and composer Magda Giannikou '08Banda Magda deftly melds styles from samba to Greek folk to Columbian cumbia. Having studied film scoring at Berklee, Giannikou has caught the attention of everyone from Kronos Quartet to Louis C.K., even singing a duet with the comedian for his hit TV show. 

In 2014, the band released the album Yerakina, with Giannikou joined by fellow Berklee alumni Jordan Perlson ’04, Ignacio Hernandez ’07, Marcelo Woloski ’07, Mika Mimura ’07, Keita Ogawa ’07, and Scott Flynn ’07. The album was coproduced by Fab Dupont ’94. Listen to “Sabiá” from Yerakina via Sounds of Berklee.

Banda Magda has been featured in Carnegie Hall’s Musical Explorers Series, entered the top 10 of Billboard’s World Music charts, and was named one of NPR’s 10 favorite World Music albums in 2013. Having played concerts and festivals worldwide, including alongside Snarky Puppy, the band is currently on tour and in pre-production for its third album, to be released in January 2016. Catch Banda Magda live on Sunday, March 15, 2015 as part of the Celebrity Series of Boston at Berklee.