"I’m still broke. No money, No mom, No lover. That’s what the Blues 'is'; its life and love and loss; it’s the sound of music that resonates from a hungry soul."

Aristotle Georgio: Music is psalms, it’s sacred

Aristotle Georgio is an accomplished blues harp player in his own right, and seasoned veteran of the road. He has been named 'the best of the west' by many people in the business. He grew up in New Orleans, and has extensive experience playing live and on-stage, with numerous artists such as; B.B. King, Bo Diddley, the Allman Brothers, Lynn Anderson, Delbert Mc Clinton, Mick Taylor, Gov't Mule, Jimmy Thackery, Earl Thomas, Robin Henkel, Robert Cray and many, many more.

Photo by Annelies Peters

Aristotle toured with the east coast popoular band of Arhooly R n' B Deluxe Band. Not only having worked with some of the best... Aristotle has extensive studio recording time, adding his raw, deep hearted, and heart wrenching harp sound to many well renowned tracks. His sultry, gravelly lead vocals can be heard on many radio commercials as well. Aristotle talks about the Blues, Arhooly, harmonica and his Greek origin.

Interview by Michael Limnios

When was your first desire to become involved in the blues and felt the love to the harmonica?

I don’t play “JUST” the blues, I play everything. I asked for a harmonica for my thirteenth birthday and got it, a 270 Chromatic.  I found a Larry Adler album and then I found a hero.

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

There’s not much money in it…ha ha. There’s not much money in any kind of music. But then again, there is plenty of money in it for some people. What do the Blues mean to me?...I’m still broke. No money, No mom, No lover. That’s what the Blues “is”; its life and love and loss; it’s the sound of music that resonates from a hungry soul.

How do you describe Aristotle Georgio sound and progress, what characterize your music philosophy?

Wow, this is getting deep…I love everything about everything; the blues is just one of them. I don’t think about it; “my sound” I just do it.  I’m just glad to be above ground and still able to do it. Music philosophy?...One step leads to another Brother, and another step leads to All.

"The harmonica is in all types of music, it’s easier to carry around than a piano."

Which is the most interesting period in your life? Which was the best and worst moment of your career?

They are all good! The worst part is not being able to play with all the dead people that you use to play with or the one’s that you wish you could have played with. I miss them all.

Why did you think that the Jazz and Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following?

Because it’s music, it’s great, so are Beethoven and Hip Hop.  Music is psalms, it’s sacred.

What’s the best jam you ever played in? What are some of the most memorable gigs you've had?

There are no best, they’re all great! Allman Brother, Bo Diddley, B.B. King, Delbert McClinton, Lionel Ritchie, Mick Taylor, Doc Watson, Lynne Anderson, I can name more.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What is the best advice ever given you?

These questions are in search of some deep and philosophical answer that I can’t give. My name is Aristotle, I’m Greek, but I’m the other one, not the philosopher.

Are there any memories from Arhooly which you’d like to share with us?

We never recorded, we never rehearsed, and we played a lot of good music, traveled to a lot of places, did a lot of partying, and had a lot of fun. I was in the band the last five years Arhooly was together.

Aristotle grew up in New Orleans, and has extensive experience playing on-stage, with B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Allman Brothers, Lynn Anderson, Delbert Mc Clinton, Mick Taylor, Gov't Mule, Robert Cray, Arhooly and many more. (Photo: Aristotle, Shelia Grady Carlise and Arhooly with Bo Diddley)

What do you miss most nowadays from the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of music?

I miss everything I use to do and all that use to be happening back then, but one thing leads to another. I don’t spend my time in the past. I live in the present.

Which memory from B.B. King, Bo Diddley, Allman Brothers, Delbert McClinton, and Mick Taylor, makes you smile?

Every minute of all of it! I miss it all and I’m not done!

Do you know why the sound of harmonica is connected to the blues? What are the secrets of?

The harmonica is in all types of music, it’s easier to carry around than a piano.

What are the lines that connect the legacy of Blues with Soul and continue to Jazz and Rock music?

Life, living, experiences.

When we talk about Blues usually refer past moments. Do you believe in the existence of real blues nowadays?

It’s never going to end.

"My name is Aristotle, I’m Greek, but I’m the other one, not the philosopher." (Photo: Arhooly with Robert Cray)

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go for a whole day..?

Athens, to meet my real mother that I’ve never met.

You are Greek origin. Would you like to tell a little bit about that? 

I was born in Athens Greece December 8, 1958. I was adopted from an orphanage by an American military couple at one and a half years old.

What is your DREAM? Happiness is……

My happiness would be to meet my birth mother.

Aristotle Georgio - official website