Yanni

Greek born keyboard player and contemporary composer Yanni has a long list of works to his credit, but it is perhaps the theme from the British Airways adverts which is the most recognised of his work.

Yanni moved from Greece to the US to study Psychology at the University of Minnesota. While at University he also played in a band, Chameleon, where he met drummer Charlie Adams, with whom he later worked. After graduation Yanni moved to California to pursue his love of music, and found work writing TV themes and jingles.

Yanni had released eight albums by the time he had his big breakthrough. After his previous releases had performed well on the New Age charts, with gradually increased sales, it was the gold-selling Dare to Dream that gave him his first cross over success. The album made No.32 on the Billboard 200 and featured the track "Aria", based on the "Flower Duet" by Delibes, which was used by British Airways in a TV and cinema campaign. The album earned him a Grammy nomination, as did the follow-up, In My Time, which went on to platinum sales.

Yanni's music has also been used at a number of sporting events, including the Olympics, The Super Bowl, the Tour de France and The U.S. Open.