**Concert Review: Vlatos Jazz – Alexia Katsanevaki’s Enchanting Night of Jazz** On a sultry summer evening at Vlatos Jazz, a packed house basked in the glow of a stellar performance featuring the luminous vocalist Alexia Katsanevaki, backed by the twin Fender Telecasters of Apostolis Leventopoulos and Andy Meixner. The trio delivered a spellbinding set of jazz classics that left the audience buzzing under the warm night sky. Apostolis Leventopoulos and Andy Meixner, both wielding the crisp, twangy tones of their Fender Telecasters, set the stage ablaze with their interplay. Their guitars sang in perfect harmony, blending intricate improvisations with tight, soulful rhythms. The Telecasters’ bright, clean sound added a distinctive edge to the jazz standards, creating a fresh yet nostalgic backdrop that resonated beautifully in the open-air venue. At the heart of the night was Alexia Katsanevaki, whose voice was nothing short of mesmerizing. Smooth as velvet and brimming with emotion, she breathed new life into classics like “Summertime” and “My Funny Valentine.” Her phrasing was impeccable, weaving effortlessly between playful and poignant, drawing the crowd into every lyric as if sharing a secret. Alexia’s stage presence was magnetic, her warmth and grace amplifying the intimacy of the performance. The full house at Vlatos Jazz was captivated from the first note. The warm evening breeze, the clink of glasses, and the soft hum of the crowd created a perfect ambiance, with the trio’s chemistry elevating the experience to something transcendent. The audience swayed, clapped, and cheered, fully immersed in the music’s spell. The night closed with a heartfelt encore of “What a Wonderful World,” Alexia’s voice soaring over the gentle strums of the Telecasters, leaving the crowd teary-eyed and elated. The standing ovation that erupted was as warm as the Cretan night, a fitting tribute to a trio whose artistry made this Vlatos Jazz evening unforgettable.
Tag: Apostolis Leventopoulos
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Vlatos Jazz 2025 with Apostolis Leventopoulos and Kostas Mitropoulos
Apostolis Leventopoulos and Konstantinos Mitropoulos, two exceptional guitarists, delivered a captivating performance at Vlatos Jazz 2025, as part of a trio with Giorgos Limakis. Their set, described as a “guitar showdown,” blended famous riffs with hidden gems, showcasing their technical prowess and creative synergy. Leventopoulos, known for collaborations with Greece’s jazz elite, brought a soulful, versatile energy, while Mitropoulos, a Gypsy Jazz specialist from Gadjo Dilo, infused the performance with Django Reinhardt-inspired flair. The intimate Vlatos setting amplified their dynamic interplay, creating an unforgettable acoustic jazz experience that thrilled the audience.[](https://www.vlatos.gr/events/)[](https://www.thenationalherald.com/gypsy-jazz-trio-k-mitropoulos-performs-at-theatre-of-the-no-sept-28-oct-19/)
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Blues Jazz Trio – Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025
July 13, 2025 @ 8:30 pm – 11:00 pm EEST
A night of pure jazz magic
Blues Jazz Trio – Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025 “Get ready for a night of pure jazz magic with the Blues Jazz Trio at Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025! Greece’s heavy hitters – Alexia Katsanevaki, Andy Meixner (From California), and Apostolis Leventopoulos – are set to light up the ancient Vlatos Jazz venue with classic tunes and timeless vibes. Expect soul-stirring melodies and an epic atmosphere that’ll transport you straight to jazz heaven!”
Book Tickets
Apostolis Leventopoulos is a masterful Greek guitarist renowned for his work in jazz, funk, and world music. He holds a classical guitar degree and a Bachelor’s in Jazz Performance from Berklee College of Music, where he graduated in 2001 on the Dean’s List. Leventopoulos has performed globally, from the US to Brazil, collaborating with artists like Gilad Atzmon and Logan Richardson. He’s released three albums—Songs for Acoustic Guitar, After the Spirit, and The Hidden Beauty—showcasing his lyrical, blues-tinged style. Currently, he teaches jazz guitar, theory, and history at the University of Ioannina, blending technical brilliance with soulful expression.
Andy Meixner – Guitarist, Composer, Teacher – Andy Meixner has toured internationally as a guitarist for major label acts such as Kelis, Kenny Lattimore, Chante Moore, Freddie Jackson, Deborah Cox, Kelly Price, Tamia, Chrisette Michele and various original indie rock, soul and jazz acts based in LA and New York. He has toured the world traveling to over 39 countries as part of the band “Z” for the record setting Broadway show “The Illusionists”. Andy is currently working on a guitar instructional video series as well as composing and recording original music for movies and television.
Alexia Katsanevaki is a talented vocalist and musician from Chania, Crete, deeply rooted in the island’s musical traditions. A member of the Vamos Ensemble, she has been performing rebetika and traditional Greek music since her university days, while also studying political lute (lafta) at the Municipal Conservatory of Patras and taking vocal lessons with Dora Petridis. Katsanevaki has collaborated with projects like Grooveyard Inc., showcasing her versatility in traditional Cypriot songs such as “To Giasemi.” Her warm, expressive voice brings a fresh energy to Crete’s folk and jazz scenes, blending heritage with contemporary flair.
alexia katsanevaki – Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025 -
Vlatos Jazz 2023 Opening: Swinging Strings featuring Maria Manousaki
Swinging Strings is comprised of four of the most active professional musicians in Greece,
Having played hundreds of live dates over the years, they have performed in literally every type of venue, from private parties, restaurants and clubs, hotel and convention events, to festivals, international tours and studio dates.
Their repertoire includes hundreds of Jazz standards tunes, and a selection of pop songs and movie themes, arranged in the idiom of jazz and swing, which is the stylistic focus of the band.
The band:
Maria Manousaki Violin/voice
Apostolos Leventopoulos guitar
Yiorgos Georgiadis Bass
Serra Bellos Drums
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Despina Drakaki & Giorgos Limakis
Piano and guitar for Astor Piazzolla, Ennio Moricone and others
Special guest: Giorgos Limakis