Classical roots with electrifying jazz riffs and soulful melodies
Emily Holden – Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025
Emily Holden dives into pop music with the wild abandon of a pleasure-seeker and the sacred zeal of a high priestess. This New York City sonic sorceress—singer, songwriter, violinist, and producer—channels her classical roots and electronic fixations into an electrifying brew. Her tracks throb with bold horn blasts, razor-sharp synths, and lush strings, all dancing atop ferocious, primal beats that cradle the fragile fire of her voice. Echoing the likes of Bjork, FKA Twigs, and Grimes, Emily Holden’s sound is a thrilling collision of raw instinct and futuristic edge—where tenderness tangles with fury, and ancient rites meet modern isolation.
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Emily Holden – Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025
For her debut at Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025, here’s what attendees can expect under the Cretan stars:
“Picture this: Emily Holden, electric violin in hand, lighting up the night at the Vlatos Jazz Venue – an ancient, open-air stage nestled in Crete’s rugged hills. On a warm Sunday evening at 20:30, she steps into the spotlight, her bow dancing across amplified strings as the White Mountains loom in the background. Fresh from New York’s vibrant scene, Emily blends her classical roots with electrifying jazz riffs and soulful melodies, creating a sound that’s both timeless and cutting-edge. Under the starry sky, her performance promises a wild ride – expect soaring improvisations, unexpected twists, and a vibe that fuses the intimacy of the venue with the boundless energy of her music. It’s her first time at Vlatos Jazz, and she’s set to make it unforgettable!”
This performance, part of the 13-concert series running all season long, leverages the unique atmosphere of Vlatos – a village known for its peace, culture, and stellar acoustics – to amplify Emily’s boundary-pushing style. Whether she’s looping layers of sound or collaborating with local musicians, her electric violin will shine as a beacon of creativity in this historic setting!
Duke Guilliaume Soul Jazz Trio – Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025
“Get ready to feel the soul of New York crash into Crete’s mountains! Saxophone maestro Duke Guilliaume and his Soul Jazz Trio are hitting Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025 with a sound that’s pure fire – think gritty jazz grooves meets smooth, soulful vibes. Straight from Harlem’s streets to our ancient stage, Duke’s horn will wail, his trio will swing, and the White Mountains will never be the same. This is jazz with heart, grit, and a transatlantic twist – don’t miss it!”
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Duke Guilliaume – Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025
Duke is a NYC-based saxophonist, bandleader, composer, arranger and producer. A native of Port Au Prince, Haiti, raised in Brooklyn, NY, Duke grew up with music, playing in his family’s wind ensemble, his father’s church and school bands. His father, Rev. Maurice Guillaume, was a trumpet, baritone horn, and accordion player, and a significant influence in Duke’s musical development.
While honing his skills, Duke worked as a manager for Sam Ash Music and was introduced to many great musicians. He began playing with some of these musicians, expanding his repertoire and refining his craft. His love for the saxophone and for all musical genres helped establish him as a player performing with a wide range of artists, including: Brian McKnight, Michael Bolton, Liza Minelli, and gospel music greats the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Shirley Caesar, The Clark Sisters and Tye Tribbett.
Duke’s passion for jazz, swing and gospel propelled him to fuse all three styles and bring together a group of elite musicians to form the Metropolitan Gospel Big Band. The idea first came to him when he heard Ralph Carmichael’s big band arrangement of the song, “He’s Everything to Me”. Duke’s father had taught him a traditional version. Hearing this swing rendition was a defining moment, inspiring him to create MGBB. His vision for a spiritually moved jazz sound has been influenced by icons such as Coltrane, Glenn Miller, Ellington and Basie, while upholding its own signature musical style. Their performances have been called “a mind-expanding, spirit-lifting experience,” * and have delighted audiences throughout the world at concert halls, festivals, Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club, Swing 46 and other acclaimed venues. They’ve brought their distinctive sound to church services, offering unique arrangements of recognizable worship songs, “giving musical praise a whole new dimension.” *
The key inspiration and muse behind Duke’s compositions and performances – whether solo, ensemble or MGBB – is a deep personal desire to connect with his audience and provide a meaningful experience for each person. He describes his goal simply: “I want my music – my playing and performing – to make a difference in people’s lives; to bring happiness, energy, excitement, hope, comfort, even healing. Music is my personal form of ministry, a way to share God’s love through my instrument. My greatest satisfaction, joy and inspiration is seeing, hearing and experiencing the power of music to transform people and their lives.”
Duke has composed, arranged, and produced several projects, solo and big band albums, embracing jazz, blues, pop, rock, gospel, Latin, and dance, combining genres to create new sounds. Here is just a sampling:
SOUNDTRACK QUARANTINE 2020: a solo concept album and expression of Duke’s personal story and experience of the lockdown caused by the pandemic; explores themes such as uncertainty, disconnection, grief and hope.
FREE TO DANCE: A strong dance vibe blending electronics with classic jazz and Latin-esque sensibilities. Featuring the single, “Karar”.
METROPOLITAN GOSPEL BIG BAND: An uplifting collection of hymns and worship songs arranged in big band swing style.
DUKE GUILLAUME: POWER OF PRAISE & POWER OF PRAISE – LIVE AT DARYLS HOUSE CLUB: Duke’s ensemble joins him in these jazz-with-roots-in-gospel studio and live albums.
BREATHE: Duke’s solo sax and accompanying piano combine textured layers of sound to create a gentle meditative space.
Most recently, Duke conceived and founded Time For Time Music, a groundbreaking website and app to help musical artists make music and advance their work through a unique barter system. TFT Music is the fulfillment of Duke’s lifelong goal and driving force: to help musicians by creating community.
“Paul Meller, once a sharp-eyed journalist in Brussels, has traded headlines for harmonicas, emerging as a soulful blues musician and a cherished friend of Vlatos Jazz. Hailing from England, he’s returning to the atmospheric Vlatos Jazz stage in 2025, bringing along a crew of talented pals to celebrate life, music, and everything in between! Expect a night packed with his own gritty, heartfelt compositions – tunes that carry the weight of his journey – alongside some foot-stomping classics that’ll have you swaying under the Cretan stars. Paul’s not just here to play; he’s here to connect, blending his English roots with the warm spirit of Crete for a session that’s as much a party as it is a tribute to the blues!”
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Paul Meller – Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025
Paul Meller is a British-born guitarist and composer who draws inspiration from a wide range of musical traditions, including blues, classical, chanson française, rock and folk. His music also draws inspiration from the southern Mediterranean and Caucasus. His performance at Vlatos jazz will include interpretations of works by composers including Komitas, Narekatsi and George Gurdjieff from Armenia and Manos Hadzidakis from Greece. He uses guitars to interpret works by the likes of Erik Satie, and Jacques Brel, while his compositions play with melodies borrowed from the likes of Brahms, Chopin, Paul McCartney and Radiohead. He will be joined on stage by Yiorgos Limakis, a Greek virtuoso guitarist well known to Vlatos, and by Paul’s two children, Eliza and Maxim Meller. Eliza mainly plays violin while Maxim plays wind instruments including bass clarinet and duduk. They perform together under the name The Mellifluous Three.
Get ready to swing, because Kate Dunphy, the sensational NYC-based accordionist and composer, is positively jazzed to make her grand return to Vlatos Jazz in 2025! Her tunes are a melodic whirlwind, bursting with impressionistic flair and steeped in the rich traditions of jazz, classical, and global rhythms that’ll make your soul dance. She’s bringing along a stellar crew for the ride: the dazzling violinist Maria Manousaki, the groovy bassist Lefteris Papadakis, and the electrifying Colombian percussionist Cristhian Quimbay. Together, they’re set to light up the stage with a sound that’s as vibrant as it is unforgettable!
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Kate Dunphy – Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025
With the Quartet, the focus narrows to a tighter, four-piece format, delivering a refined dose of nostalgia with a modern edge. Expect lush, swinging renditions of standards that feel both timeless and rare – music “like they don’t make it anymore.” Dunphy, originally from New York, brings her harmonica mastery to the forefront, a rare lead instrument in jazz that adds a distinctive, wistful charm. The Quartet has a history of global performances and a devoted following, thanks to their authentic vintage style and Dunphy’s knack for channeling the spirit of bygone eras. Their appearance at Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025 marks a return to the stage after years, promising an intimate, unforgettable night under the Cretan sky!
“Ilias Zoutsos is turning tradition on its head, taking the soulful, ancient tones of the Cretan Lyra and fusing them with the modern, jazzy finesse of Spyros Loukos on piano. Together, they’re not just playing music – they’re reimagining the classics, breathing new life into timeless melodies with a bold, innovative twist. Live on the Vlatos Jazz stage, this duo is set to deliver a mind-blowing experience in the intimate, atmospheric venue nestled in Crete’s rugged landscape. Zoutsos, a virtuoso with deep roots in Cretan music, brings his boundary-pushing creativity, while Loukos’ piano adds a layer of sophistication and groove. It’s a sonic collision of past and present – expect a total game-changer that’ll leave you rethinking what tradition can sound like!”
ilias zoutsos lyra 1 (πρώτη επιλογή)
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Ilias Zoutsos, a Crete-native multi-instrumentalist and Doctor of Music Studies, is known for his work bridging Greek traditions with contemporary styles, as seen in projects like his album Kritidiki Epohi with Thanasis Papakonstantinou. Spyros Loukos, though less documented, complements this with his piano mastery, likely adding a jazz-inspired flair. Together, they’re crafting something truly unique for Vlatos Jazz!
“Crete’s own electric bass icon, Lefteris Papadakis, is teaming up with the powerhouse talents of Clio Williemou and Andreas Partsiklidis to unleash the 3 Keys Trio – and they’re making their big debut at Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025! Picture this: Papadakis laying down those deep, funky grooves he’s famous for, paired with Williemou’s soulful flair and Partsiklidis’ razor-sharp chops. Together, they’re cooking up timeless jazz magic that’ll hit you right in the feels. Set against the ancient, candlelit vibes of the Vlatos Jazz Venue, this is more than a concert – it’s a journey into sound that’s gonna be absolutely unreal!”
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And a bit more about Lefteris Papadakis: Hailing from Chania, Crete, he’s a bass virtuoso who started on keyboards before switching to electric bass at 17. His journey took him from Athens’ jazz scene to studying at Berklee College of Music and the Conservatoire de Lausanne HEMU. With gigs at Montreux, Umbria, and Cully Jazz Festivals under his belt, plus collabs with legends like Jay Graydon and Jimmy Haslip, Papadakis brings a world-class edge to this trio. The 3 Keys Trio promises a fresh yet classic jazz vibe, rooted in Crete’s spirit and amplified by global flair!
Buckle up for the Stefanos Paterakis Trio, a dynamite crew featuring Stefanos Paterakis (lute), Yannis Paterakis (drums), and Artemis Stavroulakis (winds)! Born from a wild itch to remix the soulful sounds of Crete, Epirus, and the Middle East, they’re jazzing up tradition with a bold, future-facing twist. Influenced by slick jazz vibes and cutting-edge beats, they’re here to shake up the scene and blow your mind!
The Maria Manousaki Quartet is a dynamic jazz ensemble led by the acclaimed Greek violinist Maria Manousaki, a standout talent in the jazz and world music scenes. Based between New York and Crete, Manousaki brings a unique blend of influences to the group, fusing her Cretan roots with jazz improvisation and global sounds. Known for her versatility and virtuosity, she’s built a reputation as a performer, composer, and bandleader who effortlessly bridges cultures.
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The quartet typically features top-tier musicians, with lineups varying based on the performance. Past members have included the likes of Guy Mintus on piano, Panayiotis Andreou on bass, Engin Gunaydin on drums, and Tigran Sargsyan on duduk and vocals, showcasing a multicultural flair. Their music is a vibrant mix of original compositions and reimagined standards, often weaving in Cretan melodies with jazz polyrhythms and hints of Middle Eastern and ethnic tones. Manousaki’s latest album, Behind Closed Doors, highlights her signature style – expect soulful, dramatic melodies paired with explosive energy.
At Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025, the quartet will take the stage in the atmospheric Vlatos Jazz Venue in Crete, promising an intimate and unforgettable experience. Having performed worldwide – from New York’s Lincoln Center to Dubai’s International Film Festival – they’re a seasoned act that delivers both technical brilliance and raw emotion. This group isn’t just about playing jazz; it’s about telling stories through sound, making every gig a journey.
“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!”
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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.
“Meet Meλos – a killer string quartet straight out of Chania, Crete! Two violins, a viola, and a cello, all orbiting the genius of Maria Manousaki. They’ll whisk you from the rugged White Mountains to the stunning blue seas of Crete – a musical ride you won’t forget!”
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Melos String Quartet – Vlatos Jazz Summer 2025
The Meλos string Quartet, a vibrant multicultural group, brings together talented musicians with rich backgrounds in both classical and jazz traditions. Derived from the ancient Greek word for “melody,” the quartet transcends genre boundaries to create a unique, emblematic musical experience. Specializing in various styles, they promise to take the audience on a captivating journey through time, weaving melodies from legendary composers like Cole Porter, Nino Rota, Astor Piazzolla, and Ennio Morricone. Each performance is a harmonious blend of styles, paying homage to timeless music and awakening the spirit of a bygone era through a contemporary lens.
