Christos Rafalides
Vibraphonist and ensembles
Born in Kozani, Greece, Christos Rafalides came to the US when he won a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, after which he moved to New York to study with acclaimed jazz vibraphonist Joe Locke at the Manhattan School of Music. Finishing his Masters Degree, Christos began to immerse himself in the NYC jazz scene. In a short while he was playing with such notables as Ravi Coltrane, Antonio Sanchez, Donny McCaslin, Mark Ledford and Ron Affif, among others. Christos found his personal voice as a player and composer when he established ‘Manhattan Vibes’, a jazz group with a modern sound, which revealed his developing affinity for Latin and other world musics.
The group’s eponymously titled CD featured the talents of John Benitez on bass and Steve Hass on drums, two of the most respected young players on the contemporary music scene. The legendary trumpeter Randy Brecker also appears as a special guest. In Jazz Times’ magazine’s 2002 Year In Review issue, the recording was held as “one of the top-ten jazz recordings of 2002.”
Christos has led groups at many of NYC’s cutting edge venues including the Blue Note, the 55 Bar, the Jazz Standard and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola. He is also a member of “Queens College” private lesson faculty.
Christos is available for performances and bookings as soloist, or duo, trio, quartet, or quintet, as appropriate.
Pedro Giraudo Big Band
16-piece band led by Argentine-born composer/arranger/bassist Pedro Giraudo
Lezlie Harrison
Vocalist (jazz, blues, gospel, soul, The American Songbook)
Annette St. John
Vocalist (R&B, jazz, standards)
Patrick Poladian
Pianist Patrick Poladian performs American jazz standards with a French touch
Vanisha Gould
Vocalist (jazz standards and originals)