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Dimitris Angelakis

Greek native vibraphonist Dimitris Angelakis began his music journey from a very early age. A journey that started with his first exposure to music from his father and continued with a Fullbright Scholarship, recording and performing in the US (East Coast), exploring the Asia music scene working for a year in China, and playing at large venues and festivals in Europe.

Influenced mainly by Tony Miceli, Christos Rafalides and Joe Locke, Dimitris immersed himself as a vibraphonist in the international music scene. His high energy performances along with his soulful compositions have made him an in-demand performer at festivals around the world (Project Metamorphosis, 41st International Music Festival, World Percussion Festival, Big Day Bach, ISME), while he has also recorded/performed with acclaimed artists in the US and Europe as a guest performer and session musician, with Petros Klampanis, Milcho Leviev, Dimos Dimitriadis, Owen Hart Jr, Paris Strother (Prince), Vasilis Xenopoulos, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez (George Fakanas group) to name a few. He has also collaborated with a number of orchestras/ensembles (Delaware Steel, Uarts graduate ensemble, Composer Series, Thessaloniki state orchestra) working at the same time with educational organizations and institutions for various projects (Philadelphia Real Book project, Ionian University, Aristotle University, vibesworkshop, Hellenic Foundation for culture, Alcanta International College).

Awards

Fulbright Scholarship (2013)

Dimitris Angelakis: Long Way Home

Read "Long Way Home" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
May 22, 2022

Homer's Odyssey is one of the most famous epics in literature, and a major theme associated with this poem is nostos. Nostos in literature is the idea of the hero returning home after a long voyage. Throughout the years, Homer's work has both directly and indirectly influenced countless works of art. Vibraphonist Dimitris Angelakis' Long Way Home builds on this idea of nostos by way of the poet Konstantinos Kavafis. Angelakis uses Kavafis' poem, “Ithaca” as the inspiration ...

"The combination of such raw talent with the first-rate nurturing institutions like UARTS provide, assures that the future of jazz is secure and bright. (Hrayr Attarian, All about jazz - cd review)

"From the sound of the saxophone to the contrabass’ earthly rhythms and the vibraphone’s harmonic colours, Dream Trio creates a dynamic but sophisticated jazz style." (https://enimerosi.com/details_en.php?id=18420)

"Under his hands, this instrument acquires a particularly melodic, delicate and iridescent sound." (https://news.pn/ru/public/168712)

"The jazz vibraphonist Dimitris Angelakis brings joy to his listeners with his music for over 10 years now." (shorturl.at/afmyA)

Primary Instrument

Vibraphone

Location

Philadelphia

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Master's of music (jazz) - University of the Arts

Clinic/Workshop Information

Dimitris is available for workshops and master classes of all sizes. His approach and ideas are beneficial for all instruments–not just percussion players. He has given workshops to Odesa Academy of Music (Ukraine), Ionian University (Greece), Seminario de jazz burela (Spain), Alcanta International College (China), Aristotle University (Greece), among other places and he has taught regularely in USA, Europe and Asia in universities and music schools. He is also available for private lessons and teaches jazz improvisation, music theory/harmony, general music improvisation among other music-related subjects, for beginner to advanced level players, on all instruments, which can also be arranged online as well.