Pavlo tuned up for lively show

Vino and Mediterranean music pair so well, Canadian six-string great Pavlo has his own line of wine and guitars.

The energetic bon vivant and his six-piece band visit the Cowichan Theatre Wednesday where the toast of global stages will perform tunes from his seven CDs.

“It’ll be your typical Pavlo interactive show getting people up to dance,” he told the News Leader Pictorial from Winnipeg.

Pavlo admitted his red Meritage wine from Ontario’s Mastronardi Estate Winery won’t be available Wednesday, nor will his signature axes, crafted by Calgary luthier Jake Peters.

But Pavlo and crew are tuned up for lively shows laced with spontaneous antics he’s given Cowichan in the past.

He’ll be backed by percussionist Boris Sichon, bouzouki man George Vasilakos, Latin percussionist Gino Mirizio, bassist Randy Rodrigues, and keyboardist Denzel Remedios.

Born in Toronto to Greek parents, Pavlo began playing guitar at age 10, later earning a music degree form York University.

His invigorating brand of ethnic folk-roots fare gives Pavlo and his band 150 worldwide dates annually “but this year we exceeded 200.”

The fret lifer carries a 50-page passport used to board some precarious flights.

“I was just in Berlin and we had some heavy winds but it all worked out well.”

Pavlo’s particularly proud of his recent album Live At Massey Hall.

He’s also chuffed about his current Mediterranean Nights TV special with PBS.

“That was pretty exciting. It’s my first TV special for America with another live album coming from it.”

Cowichan Theatre’s balanced sound is perfect for Pavlo’s tunes but other facilities aren’t so aurally blessed.

“The most important thing is having good acoustics, and Centennial Hall in London, Ontario has the worst; it’s a shoebox.”

Familiar halls give the globetrotting guitarist a reference point.

“I know every city by its theatre.

“For me, the best are in Wurzburg, Germany, and Massey Hall in Toronto.

“Playing Massey Hall was always a dream of mine.”

But Pavlo never dreamed he’d been known for vino.

“When I started playing guitar as a kid I never thought I’d have a line of red wine.

“But I played some concerts on the Mastronardi Estate in the past few years and a label made sense,” the affable player said.

“Mediterranean music and wine: man that makes sense.

“I’m no professional wine guy but I definitely like wine, like everyone else.”

He’s also fond of fine-sounding guitars, especially those that inspire young players.

“So many kids said they love my guitars but can’t afford one so I got together with Calgary luthier Jake Peters to make an affordable guitar,” said Pavlo who now plays Yamaha instruments.

“I’m looking at Jake’s prototypes right now.

“The most important thing is feel; you have to be able to play it with ease, then sound comes in.

“I won’t become a millionaire selling guitars,” he said.

“But I want to extend an instrument to kids just starting to play.”