Vlatos jazz season 4

What happened in the world in 2021

In 2021, the world was emerging unevenly from the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic: vaccine rollouts accelerated globally (with inequalities stark between rich and poor nations), lockdowns eased in many places but variants like Delta caused new waves; economies rebounded with massive stimulus but faced supply-chain chaos and inflation spikes; social movements persisted (#MeToo evolved, climate strikes continued, U.S. Capitol riot in January shocked democracy); major events included the Tokyo Olympics (delayed to summer 2021), COP26 climate summit, Afghanistan’s Taliban takeover, and rising digital fatigue amid remote work normalization.

Vlatos Jazz 2021 Program (Season 4)

The fourth season of the Vlatos Jazz Festival marked a resilient return to fuller programming after 2020’s restrictions, delivering intimate acoustic jazz and world music concerts every Sunday evening in the historic 150-year-old stone church (Vlatos Music Hall) in the mountain village of Vlatos, western Crete. Curated by violinist Maria Manousaki, the season ran from roughly mid-July to mid-September 2021 (starting around July 11 and ending September 12, per local reports), with unplugged performances, candlelit ambiance, mountain breezes, and limited live audiences adhering to safety protocols.It featured a vibrant, diverse lineup blending international guests, Greek/Cretan talents, and fusion styles—emphasizing acoustic purity, community spirit, and cultural connection in a post-lockdown world. Full recordings are archived on the official YouTube channel (@VlatosJazz, “S04 Vlatos Jazz Season 4 (2021)” playlist), showcasing standout artists and performances:

• Terry Vakirtzoglou & Lefteris Papadakis — Opening energy.
• Dimitris Vakakis & Kyriakos Stavrianoudakis — Cretan-inspired duets.
• Maria Manousaki Quartet — Curator-led set with music from her albums and new compositions (July 25 highlight).
• Yoel Soto, Costis Christodoulou & Sotiris Ntouvas — Dynamic trio (August 1).
• Epi K Paradox — Experimental world-jazz/blues.
• Cody Geil & Maria Manousaki — Collaborative highlights.
• Adama, Just Friends, Marmitas, Antifono, Leonidas Lainakis, Ilias Choreftakis, Phil Harrison and his Cats choir, Jean Loup Longnon, and others — a rich mix of global influences and local fire.

Organized by the Cultural Society “New Horizons,” the season stayed true to volunteer roots, sustainability, and acoustic intimacy—offering a joyful, soul-reviving escape as the world cautiously reopened. These preserved videos capture the festival’s growing depth and enduring magic in challenging times.

Teri Vakirtzoglou & Lefteris Papadakis, Dimitris Vakakis & Kyriakos Stavrianoudakis, Maria Manousaki Quartet, Yoel Soto, Epi K Paradox, Cody Geil & Maria Manousaki, Adama, Just Friends, Marmitas, Antifono, Leonidas Lainakis, Ilias Choreftakis, Phil Harrison and his Cats choir

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S04.E07 Eirini Derebei Karolos Kouklakis – Vlatos Jazz 2021

S04.E04 Yoel Soto – Costis Christodoulou – Sotiris Ntouvas – Vlatos Jazz 2021

S04.E02.P01 Dimitris Vakakis and Kyriakos Stavrianoudakis – Vlatos Jazz 2021

S04.E08 Just Friends – Vlatos Jazz 2021

S04.E11 Leonidas Lainakis – Vlatos Jazz 2021

ERT1 Item Vlatos Jazz 2021.12.19

S04.E03 Maria Manousaki Quartet – Vlatos Jazz 2021

S04.E09 Marmitas Band – Vlatos Jazz 2021

S4.E14.P01 Marmitas Manousaki Hit the road Jack Winter in Vlatos 2021

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