“One thing is certain: Manhattan Vibes is a supremely cool percussion-oriented band that appeals to both young and mature audiences.

They are performing a style of music that is very contemporary with international influences that blend together without ever losing the element of dance and groove.” – Village Voice.

Christos found his personal voice when he established ‘Manhattan Vibes’, a band that has appeared at numerous New York’s cutting edge venues including the Blue Note, the Jazz Standard, Smoke Jazz Club and Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, and toured numerous festivals around the world.

Does today’s Greek music hold a passport that allows it to cross our borders? It is hard to say it does: one will notice that our music legacy outside Greece is synonymous with Zorba and “opa”. As a Greek who has lived abroad for the last 30 years, Christos Rafalides and his band are making an attempt to change this. Manhattan Vibes’ music reflects today’s reality, encompassing elements from the world music scene, with a strong multicultural flavor. This time round, it will have a distinct Greek character, creating a musical experience that can be performed in Athens, Paris, New York or Tokyo and still evoke a memory, a scent of Greece.

Christos Rafalides, vibraphone

Thana Alexa, vocals

Yosvany Terry, saxophone

Gabriel Chakarji, piano

Yunior Terry, bass

Alon Benjamini, drums”