The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Manhattan Vibes next in jazz series at the Palace Theater
WATERBURY — The Palace Theater Poli Club Fall Jazz Series, presented by New England Arts and Entertainment, continues Friday night with Manhattan Vibes
Born in Kozani, Greece, group leader Christos Rafalides can't remember a time when he wasn't surrounded by music.
The influence of his older brother led him to the piano at the age of 7. He began his studies in classical percussion at 14, and, by the time he was 20, he was working with some of the best known orchestras in Greece.
Rafalides believed he would continue his career as a classical percussionist, until one evening when he heard pianist George Cables with the group of Billy Cobham.
“Here was this guy, playing with his shoes off, conveying so much feeling through his instrument . ... I knew I wanted to be able to express myself like that,” Rafalides said.
From that moment forward, he knew he would be a jazz musician.
Upon receiving a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music, he moved to Boston, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree, studying with Ed Saindon. His desire to flourish brought him to New York City to study with acclaimed jazz vibraphonist Joe Locke at the Manhattan School of Music. Finishing his master’s degree, Rafalides began to immerse himself in the vital New York City jazz scene. In a short while, he was playing with such notable musicians as Ravi Coltrane, Antonio Sanchez, Donny McCaslin, Hector Martignon and Ron Affif among others.
He established ManhattanVibes, which reveals his strong affinity for Latin and other types of world music. The self-titled CD featured the talents of Grammyaward winner 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-10 jazz recordings of 2002.”
Showtimes on Friday are 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.; doors and the bar open at 6:30 p.m. Seating is general admission.
Tickets are available at the Palace Theater Box Office at 203-346-2000 or at www.PalaceTheaterCT.org