Udi Yorgo (1900-1977)

Giorgos Batzanos was born in Istanbul into a family of distinguished musicians, possibly of Romani descent. His father, Haralambos (Lambo Efendi), was a laouto player, while his brother Alekos (Aleko) and his uncle Anastasios Leontaridis (Anastas) were both renowned kemençe (lyra) players. From an early age, Giorgos displayed remarkable musical talent, beginning with an ud crafted by his father when he was just five years old. Despite his father’s encouragement to complete his formal education, Giorgos devoted himself entirely to music. He studied under his father and later trained with Udi Kirkor and Karnik Garmiryan. At the age of twelve, he made his debut at a nightclub. Later, he performed in Cyprus and Egypt and also worked for Turkish radio. Though a gifted pianist and songwriter, Batzanos is remembered above all for his mastery of the oud.