Yanni was a self-taught artist who continues to push the frontiers of music as one of the best new age musicians of all time. Yanni was born in Greece and later immigrated to the United States. He traveled frequently and drew on his global knowledge to create multi-cultural and diverse music. He’s performed at the Taj Mahal and the Acropolis of Athens, both of which are quite elite venues. He developed his own musical shorthand as a child as a result of his innovative and distinctive approach to music, which he currently uses in his songs. His lengthy creative cooperation with PBS has demonstrated that he is also a skilled fundraiser, garnering millions of dollars to support his own and other broadcast events. He donates his charitable fundraising efforts to the World Wildlife Fund to support the conservation of endangered species, in addition to creating, conducting, and performing in his own orchestra. He has gotten two Grammy nominations for his work as a keyboardist, composer, and musician. Despite the fact that his work is frequently categorized and regarded as a fine example of the popular new age genre, he is well-known for defying genre labels and creating original orchestral music that represents his international renown.
Childhood and Adolescence
Yanni was born Yiannis Chryssomallis in Kalamata, Greece, on November 14, 1954. He established his unique style of writing music as a child, and he still uses his signature’musical shorthand’ to compose compositions now. He started playing the piano at the age of six, and his parents let him progress at his own pace.
He traveled to the United States in November 1972 to study psychology at the University of Minnesota. During this period, he was a member of a rock band and realized that music was his true calling.
Yanni’s early career included collaboration with a variety of bands before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue soundtrack composing for films and theater. In 1977, he was a member of the band ‘Chameleon,’ which included drummer Charlie Adams, with whom he would subsequently collaborate.
In 1980, he released his first solo album, ‘Optimystique,’ and began to create his own musical style. For several years, he toured with Charlie Adams and other band members to promote this and other early recordings before ultimately migrating to Los Angeles.
Several high-profile TV and magazine appearances, including ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ and ‘People Magazine,’ helped to boost his reputation in the early 1990s. His connection with actress Linda Evans helped raise his profile, but he quickly established himself as a celebrity in his own right.
Yanni’s rising popularity catapulted him to the fore of the New Age movement, which exploded in the 1990s. His first
Grammy nomination came in 1992 for the album ‘Dare to Dream,’ and he received his second nomination the following year.
He was one of the few western singers invited to perform at the Taj Mahal and the Forbidden City in 1997. He arranged these ground-breaking concerts, finished a massive world tour, and ended his long-term relationship with actress Linda Evans, before taking a two-year break from music.
He took a sabbatical from the show due to stress and despair, and he used the time to travel and learn more about the globe. During this time, his trips gave dimension to his music.
In 2000, he made his comeback with the album ‘If I Could Tell You,’ which charted at number 20 on the Billboard 200, making it his most successful debut to date. Throughout this decade, he continued to develop his own voice through world music and other genres on PBS and other creative outlets.
Yanni’s large international tours continue today, with him touring over 30 countries and performing his distinctive compositions. ‘Inspirato,’ a collaboration with operatic soprano Plácido Domingo and producer Ric Wake, was released in 2014.
Major Projects of Yanni
In September 1993, he released ‘Yanni Live at the Acropolis,’ his debut live album and breakthrough performance, which featured his core band backed by the 60-piece Royal Philharmonic orchestra. The music video became the second best-selling music video of all time, behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller.’ The program aired on PBS and was one of their most popular shows of all time.
Achievements & Awards
Yanni has the unusual distinction of being allowed to perform at the Royal Albert Hall, the Acropolis of Athens, the Taj Mahal, the Forbidden City, and the Kremlin, among other elite venues and restricted locations across the world.
In 1992 and 1993, Yanni was nominated for two Grammy Awards in the category of “Best New Age Album.” His albums have charted at number one on the Billboard chart for new age albums on 15 occasions.
‘Yanni Live at the Acropolis’ and ‘Tribute’ were two of PBS’s most popular programs, with Yanni Live selling more than seven million copies. Both specials were nominated for Emmy Awards.
He has worked with PBS on over ten significant projects and has aided their fundraising efforts throughout his career, in addition to Live at the Acropolis. He has assisted them in raising an estimated 13 million dollars for public broadcasting during the course of their cooperation.
Personal History and Legacy
Yanni had a relationship with actress Linda Evans. He is currently single after a relationship that lasted from 1989 until 1998.
For years, the world assumed Yanni had no children, but in April 2014, he disclosed that he does have a daughter, Krystal Ann, and introduced her to the public at the age of 32.
Yanni Net Worth
Yanni’s net worth is $50 million, and he is a Greek pianist, keyboardist, composer, and music producer. Yanni’s net worth has grown as a result of his numerous appearances as a pianist, as well as his numerous albums and tours. In addition, two of his albums (Dare to Dream and In My Time) received Grammy nominations, and he has composed film scores as well as the music for a British Airways television commercial that won an award. Yanni’s music is said to reflect his “one world, one people” concept, as he has encountered numerous civilizations during his travels.
Trivia
This notable figure, in addition to his early musical genius, also shown early athletic aptitude. At the age of 14, he achieved a national record in the 50 meter freestyle swimming competition in his home Greece.