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Christos Rafalides

Greek vibraphonist and educator Christos Rafalides is an adept improviser and composer known for his sophisticated post-bop and modern creative jazz sound. Since moving to New York in the early '90s, Rafalides has gained wider attention, releasing albums like 2002's Manhattan Vibes and collaborating on projects like 2006's Van Gogh by Numbers with his mentor Joe Locke and 2012's We Two with Greek composer Mimis Plessas. In 2014, he paired with bassist Petros Klampanis for Point Two and showcased his trio on 2017's Near & Dear. Born in 1972 in Kozani, Greece, Rafalides began playing music at an early age, influenced by his older brother, who played piano. He started taking percussion lessons around age 14 and soon after graduating high school was performing with orchestras in Greece. While educated in classical music, he became passionate about a career in jazz after seeing drummer Billy Cobham live in concert. A scholarship to Berklee College of Music brought Rafalides to Boston in the early '90s, after which he earned his master's degree from Manhattan School of Music, studying with vibraphonist Joe Locke. It was there in New York City that he began making broader connections, performing with luminaries like Ravi Coltrane, Antonio Sanchez, Donny McCaslin, and others. He formed his own group and in 2002 made his solo debut with Manhattan Vibes, featuring bassist John Benitez, drummer Steve Hass, and trumpeter Randy Brecker. Rafalides also collaborated with Locke on 2005's Van Gogh by Numbers and in 2007 paired with pianist Sergio Salvatore for the duo album Dark Sand. Other high-profile performances followed, including concerts with the Charles Mingus Epitaph Band featuring conductor Gunther Schuller and bassist Christian McBride. He also performed with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Another collaboration arrived with 2008's Echo - The Music of Mimis Plessas featuring Plessas and Greek singer Evi Siamanda. Rafalides and Plessas also collaborated on 2012's We Two. Along with performing, Rafalides has an Artist Residency at the Music Village in Greece and teaches on the faculty at Queens College. In 2014, Rafalides joined bassist Petros Klampanis for their duo album Point Two, playing standards and folk songs. Also that year, he worked with the Chronos Ensemble and singer Dimitra Galani on Chronos Project and contributed to the Harmonie Ensemble's album Henry Mancini: Music for Peter Gunn. In 2017, Rafalides released Near & Dear, a series of trio performances with bassists Klampanis and Mike Pope, and drummer Mauricio Zottarelli.
© Matt Collar /TiVo

Discography

12 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller

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