Thanasi is a drummer and educator based in Los Angeles. He has collaborated with Multi-Platinum, Grammy-nominated producer NicoTheOwl on various recording projects, working with artists such as aika (J-pop top 10), Marty Friedman (Megadeth), Ayaka Hirahara, and more. Notable projects include recording with aika for the trailer of Warner Brothers’ movie “Ironclad” (starring Paul Giamatti and Brian Cox), and drumming to aika’s album “No Mo Games.” In addition, he has worked with producer Aris Archontis at Archon Studios, recording soundtracks for hit Disney movies “Teen Beach Movie” and “Teen Beach Movie 2.” Thanasi has also collaborated with composer Chris Christodoulou, recording drums for the video game soundtrack “Deadbolt.”
Beyond his recording projects, Thanasi teaches drums at his studio in Hollywood and is an endorsed artist for Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals.
Born and raised in Sparta, Greece, Thanasi developed a passion for music and pursued a career as a professional musician. At the age of 15 he started working as a musician, supporting a wide range of musical genres, from Greek traditional dance music, to pop and jazz.
To further his musical and artistic development, he moved to Athens and continued his studies at the G. Fakanas Conservatory, studying the drum set with renewed drummer Toli Arsenidi, and receiving degrees in both Harmony of Music and Counterpoint. During that period he also pursued an electrical engineering degree and kept performing with premier local pop/rock bands.
Thanasi continued his educational journey at Columbia College in Chicago, where he studied with prominent drum instructors and educators such as Frank Donaldson (Bill Withers), Dana Hall (Ray Charles), and Tom Hipskind (Kick The Cat). Subsequently, he graduated with a specialization in Jazz studies and obtained a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance at N.I.U., studying under recognized drummer Rodrigo Villanueva (Eddie Gomez Trio).
Throughout his career, Thanasi has performed with artists such as aika, Alexia (Chick Corea, with 25 gold and platinum albums), Elli Kokkinou, Stelio Dionisiou, Ioulia Kallimani, Carlos Alfredo Jr. and Shahkar Bineshpajooh. He has also shared the stage with renowned artists such as Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan. His extensive contributions to various recording projects, including Ayaka Hirahara’s single “Boy I Wish You Were Here,” Laura Rizzotto’s single “Love It” for The World Cup 2014 in Brazil, and Hiroaki Tagawa’s single “Sky” for the 2021 Olympics in Japan, further demonstrate his impact and versatility as a musician.