Σοφία Καρίβαλη

Sofia Abatzi - Karivali (Smyrna, Asia Minor 1916 - Nikaia, Attica 25 October 1995) was born in 1916 (two years after her sister Ρίτα Αμπατζή) in Smyrna, Asia Minor. Sofia & Rita came to Greece with their mother, Stella, in 1922 during the Catastrophe of Smyrna, without their father, who was unfortunately not able to join them. Rita served as a beacon for her sister showing the way to singing. In 1935 Sofia married Παντελής Καρίβαλης and one year later (January 1936) she made her debut in recording (6 years after Rita). Assisted by Κώστας Σκαρβέλης, she recorded his composition "Πια Δεν Με Γελάς", accompanied by himself at guitar and Σπύρος Περιστέρης (2) at bouzouki. She continued together with Μάρκος Βαμβακάρης and they recorded "Πολυτεχνίτης" and "Δεν Τονε Θέλω Μάνα Μου". Urged by Peristeris, Βασίλης Τσιτσάνης provided them with his composition "Να Γιατί Γυρνώ Μες Την Αθήνα", which was released in the same record with "Πολυτεχνίτης". On 20 June 1936 Markos Vamvakaris opened his own koutouki, where Sofia became the first woman to sing on stage with the legendary "Τετράς Του Πειραιά", consisted of Μάρκος Βαμβακάρης, Στράτος Παγιουμτζής, Γιώργος Μπάτης & Ανέστης Δελιάς. Additionally, she sang for compositions of Vamvakaris, Skarvelis, Tsitsanis, Derembeis, Asikis, Delias and his husband Pantelis. She performed at various taverns until she was forced by her husband to retire. Her last recording appearance was in 1948 with "Παλιοχωρίτισσα". Sofia passed away in Nikaia, Attica on 25 October 1995.