Myrtó Naoum was born and raised in Athens. She studied economics at the University of Athens and contemporary singing and classical harmony at the Athens National Conservatory.
In 2010, she had the opportunity to collaborate with Eleni Vitali, one of Greece's most prominent folk singers. She sang with her for two years, in three different performances, gaining experience and coming into contact with Eastern music, which she had not explored until then.
In 2012, searching for her musical identity, she formed her own band and experimented with funk and soul sounds, before finally turning her attention to jazz music in 2013. At the same time, she participated in Yiannis Markopoulos‘ concert at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and in the performance ’Entythen'.
In 2015, he collaborated with the group ‘Ohi Paizoume’ (We Don't Play) in the site-specific performance ‘Dourgouti Island Hotel,’ and in 2016, he participated in the performance ‘Stratis Myrivilis: Stories from the Green Book’, by the HomoLudensTheatre group, directed by Margarita Amantidi.
Until 2017, he was active on the Greek jazz scene with the bands ”Lula's Quartet” and ”Myrto Naoum Quartet” and collaborated with important musicians such as Pantelis Benetatos, Kostas Konstantinou, Filippos Pappas, and others. In 2017, she participated in the television competition ”The Voice of Greece” in Panos Mouzourakis' team, which led to their collaboration. In addition to her participation as a singer in concerts, she is also responsible for vocal design and music teaching.
Throughout this period, as part of her broader artistic exploration and education, she has attended seminars on stage performance and jazz in Greece and abroad (Berklee College of Music, Begues Jazz Camp, Sheila Jordan, René Marie, etc.), acting seminars (Th. Moschopoulos, D. Lignadis, G. Symeonidis, V. Mavrogeorgiou, etc.), while also engaging in classical ballet and contemporary dance from an early age.
Based on the idea that these three arts—music, dance, and acting—are inextricably linked, she began collaborating with Roula Koutroumpeli, a contemporary dancer and choreographer.
They decide to cover the old-fashioned jazz song «I'm Bored,» originally sung by Mary-Lo in 1963, with music by Nicky Yakovlev and lyrics by Pythagoras.
The idea for the video did not arise from a simple need to visualize the song. The inspiration was universal, the vision shared, and so the video clip for the song was created: a surreal, abstract film with a strong dance theater element. The aim of this project is to evolve very soon into a dance theater performance with the song and music as its central theme.
Video contributors:
Man: Orestes Tziovas
Deer: Panagiotis Argyropoulos
Hare: Giannis Chrysovergis
Kalla: Anastasia Gouliamou
Kaki: Iokasti Michalopoulou
Ram: Vasilis Panagiotopoulos
Pig: Filios Stamelos
Lion: Stefanos Tsironas
Dog: Savina Tzaferai
Fox: Konstantinos Xanthopoulos
Art Director/ Concept/ Choreography: Roula Koutroumpeli
Video Director: Kyriakos Antonopoulos
DoP/ Editor/ Colorist/ Camera: Panos Kallitsis
AD: Zampela Chaviar
1st Camera Assistant: Konstantinos Kiouzis
2nd Camera Assistant: Vasilis Tsapopoulos
Gaffer: Sakis Kiouzis Electric: Lefteris Karponidis
Set & Costume Design: Salome Makaronidou, Maria Kalamara
Hair & Makeup Artist: George Fytas
Producer: Myrto Naoum
Production Manager: Kostas Kokkinos
AP: Manos Manoleskos, Antonis
Sound Design: Dimitris Naoum
Graphic Design: Katia Koutsafti
Music: Nicky Yakovlev
Lyrics: Pythagoras
First performance: Mary-Lou
Arrangement: Myrto Naoum
Arrangement/Piano: Pavlos Kaltouroumidis
Trumpet: Vangelis Katsarelis
Saxophone: Dimitris Karagiannis
Trombone: George Zareas
Double bass: Haris Pantazis
Drums: Vangelis Kotzampasis
Mixing/Mastering: Dimitris Naoum
The recording took place at BK Studios.
*Special thanks:
To the Communitism4art team, especially Natasha and Danae, for providing the venue and their general assistance.
At the Punchi Pupunchi store and Nidodileda for the dress.
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Official music video by Myrto Naoum performing Variemai © 2017.
Music: Nicky Yakovlev
Lyrics: Pythagoras
Originally performed by Mary Lo
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Art Director, Concept & Choreography: Roula Koutroumpeli
Video Director: Kyriakos Antonopoulos
DoP, Edit, Color & Camera: Panos Kallitsis
Assistant Director: Zabela Chaviara
1st Camera Assistant: Konstantinos Kiousis
2nd Camera Assistant: Vassilis Tsapopoulos
Gaffer: Sakis Kiousis
Electric: Lefteris Karponidis
Set & Costume Design: Salomi Makaronidou, Maria Kalamara
Hair & Makeup Artist: Giorgos Fytas
Sound Design: Dimitris Naoum
Graphic Design: Katia Koutsafti
Producer: Myrto Naoum
Production Manager: Kostas Kokkinos
Production Assistant: Manos Manoleskos
Man: Orestis Tziovas
Deer: Panayiotis Argyropoulos
Hare: Giannis Chrysovergis
Kalla: Anastasia Gouliamou
Kaki: Iokasti Michalopoulou
Ram: Vassilis Panayiotopoulos
Pig: Filio Stamelou
Lion: Stefanos Tsironas
Dog: Savvina Tzaferai
Fox: Konstantinos Xanthopoulos
————————————————————-
Adaptation: Myrto Naoum
Orchestration & Piano: Pavlos Kaltouroumidis
Trumpet: Vaggelis Katsarelis (Karotos)
Saxophone: Dimitris Karayiannis
Trombone: Giorgos Zareas
Double Bass: Haris Pantazis
Drums: Vaggelis Kotzampasis
Mixing/Mastering: Dimitris Naoum
The song was recorded at BK Studios.
*Special thanks to:
Communitism4art, and especially Natassa and Danai, for providing us with the shooting location and their help and support in general.
Punchi Pupunchi store and Nidodileda for the Lily Pleated dress.
Wintercroft, PaperStatue, Lapa Sudios, and Sma/sk for the mask design.
**Song available soon on all digital platforms**
