Tag: Vlatos Jazz

Giorgios Chachlakis returns to Vlatos Jazz with his electrifying band, ready to reignite the magic of rebetiko in the intimate glow of our historic stone church. Last summer they brought the house down — the soulful melodies of old Greece filled the air, the energy was contagious, and by the end everyone was singing and dancing together in a shared wave of joy and memory.This year the fire burns even brighter. Giorgios and his musicians deliver the real thing: the gritty longing, the defiant spirit, the tender heartbreak of rebetiko — all performed with passion, authenticity, and that unmistakable Cretan warmth. The bouzouki cries, the baglama pulses, the voices rise in harmony, and the rough stone walls seem to lean in closer, soaking up every note as if the music has always belonged here.Expect the same unforgettable night: infectious rhythms that pull you to your feet, songs that feel like old friends, and a collective celebration that turns strangers into family for one Sunday evening. The mountain listens, the candles flicker, and Vlatos once again becomes the perfect home for rebetiko’s timeless soul.A night of pure, heartfelt connection — because some music is worth bringing back, and some places are worth returning to, again and again.

From the Vlatos Jazz Video Archives

The Anakate Ntounia are a trio based in Heraklion, Crete. The band was formed in the autumn of 2023 in a living room, when three musicians, holding traditional acoustic instruments from Greece and Africa, combined their knowledge and experiences, putting inspiration and original creation at the forefront.The kologo — the West African two-string lute — together with the stamna, converse in polyrhythms and danceable grooves, providing a solid foundation for the bow of the violin to narrate lyrical stories, creating a new “mixed” world.All songs are original in lyrics and music, primarily in Greek, occasionally in English. They speak of love and romance, war and social injustice, incorporating folk sayings and wisdom from Crete and Ghana. The rural Greek melodies intertwine with primal African rhythms and contemporary polyphonies. The repetitive structure of the songs and the playful style of the band turn every live performance into an ecstatic, participatory celebration of singing and dancing.In the soft candlelight of Vlatos’ historic stone church, the Anakate Ntounia bring this vibrant fusion to the mountain. The rough stone walls seem to lean in, the candles flicker with the rhythm, and the music becomes a bridge — connecting the soul of Crete with the heartbeat of Africa in the most gentle and joyful way.A Sunday night where boundaries dissolve, the audience sings along, feet begin to move, and the mountain itself feels a little closer to the world. A warm, alive, and deeply human evening in the heart of Vlatos.

The Melos String Quartet arrives at Vlatos Jazz with a performance that feels like pure musical fireworks. Derived from the ancient Greek word for “melody,” this vibrant, multicultural group brings together musicians with rich backgrounds in both classical mastery and jazz freedom. Led by violinist Maria Manousaki, they transcend genre boundaries to create something truly emblematic.In the soft candlelight of the historic stone church, they offer a tribute to rock and pop icons — Queen, Metallica, Coldplay, Eric Clapton, The Beatles and more — reinterpreted with the elegance of a string quartet and infused with jazz spontaneity and unexpected twists. Maria Manousaki’s virtuosic violin leads the way, while Orestis Krikonis (violin), Lauri Hamalayaan (viola), and Bernhard Klein (cello) respond with grace and fire.The ensemble’s tight interplay and expressive dynamics fill the intimate space, blending classical precision with the raw energy of rock. The rustic Cretan backdrop — the ancient stone walls, the flickering candles, the quiet mountain air — amplifies their melodic richness, making the night feel like a shared secret between the musicians and the village.A highlight of the season, this tribute bridges classical tradition, rock energy, and the gentle spirit of Vlatos Jazz — an unforgettable evening where legends are reborn under the Cretan stars, and every note resonates with warmth and wonder.

Melos String Quartet on in the Vlatos Jazz Archives on Youtube

In the soft, flickering light of the historic stone church, Stratis Skarakis — the violinist whose sound has long been part of the heartbeat of Kissamos — brings his trio to Vlatos Jazz for the very first time. Titled Echoes of Greece, from Kissamos to Everywhere, this special evening is a quiet celebration of roots and reach. Stratis, famous locally for his soulful playing that feels like the island itself speaking, joins forces with two trusted musicians to weave familiar Cretan melodies into something wider, warmer, more open. The trio moves gently between tradition and exploration — old songs from the mountains around Kissamos finding new breath, new light, new places to travel.

There is no rush here, no need for spectacle. Just three voices on strings, candles burning low, the rough stone walls holding every phrase like a memory being retold. The music carries the scent of thyme and sea air, the rhythm of village feasts and quiet evenings, yet it reaches outward — from Kissamos to everywhere — inviting listeners to feel both at home and far away at once.For Stratis, this is more than a concert; it’s a homecoming and a departure in the same breath. For Vlatos, it’s one more Sunday when the church becomes a living room for the soul of Greece.Come early, bring your own quiet, and let the echoes find you. A night that begins in Kissamos… and ends wherever the music takes you.

Stratis Skarakis at Vlatos Jazz