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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 Diego Rivera, Olivier Gatto, Petros Klampanis, Milcho Leviev, Dimos Dimitriadis, Owen Hart Jr, Paris Strother (Prince), Vasilis Xenopoulos, Matt Home, Nigel Price, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez (George Fakanas group) to name a few. He has also collaborated with a number of orchestras/ensembles (Delaware Steel, Philadelphia Uarts graduate ensemble, Ukraine Composer Series, Thessaloniki state orchestra) working at the same time with educational organisations and institutions for various projects (Philadelphia Real Book project, University of the Arts, Ionian University, Aristotle University, Vibesworkshop, Hellenic Foundation for culture-Odessa, Alcanta International College-China), among others.

Awards

Fulbright Scholarship

Presidential Scholarship

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 ...

"With this CD I would like to introduce you to an exciting new artist who has transcended the difficulties inherent in those 37 bars and created a beautiful and compelling album." (Vibraphonist Joe Locke)

"Long Way Home is definitely a trip worth taking." (Kyle Simpler, All About Jazz)

"The airy brightness of his vibes tends to dominate the ensemble sound of this piano-less unit"

(Ken Franckling, Jazz Times magazine)

"All this study--and much work as a sideman along the way--has come together on his first CD, "Long Way Home". Stream it, buy it, listen to it, and then listen to it again." (Bruce Klauber, The Jazz Scene)

"Long Way Home is definitely a trip worth taking." (Kyle Simpler, All About Jazz)

"The airy brightness of his vibes tends to dominate the ensemble sound of this piano-less unit"

(Ken Franckling, Jazz Times magazine)

“This number seduces you with its cool, mellow tones before building to a thrilling crescendo. Delicious.” (Fraser Dyer - The Penitent’s Jazz Radio Hour, UK)

"Angelakis takes center stage with a mordant and poetic improvisation that becomes a shimmering and heady ballad.” (Hrayr Attarian, All about jazz)

"A perfect" album, with a special and refined atmosphere, throughout its course, which is further distinguished by its compositional and instrumental power." (Fontas Trousas, Diskoryxeion)

"The feeling of the album "Long Way Home" is completely acoustic and pleasant." (Manthos Giourtzoglou, Keepjazzin)

“Featuring an intriguing and vibrant performance by Dimitris Angelakis, unveiling his harmonious and solo skills on the keyboard and vibraphone.”

(City Portal Magazine)

"Knowing Dimitris for more than ten years gave me the opportunity to experience how a talented, focused and hard working student becomes a soulful and meaningful professional musician." (Vibraphonist Christos Rafalides)

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

"Dimitris is one of the top vibraphone players of his generation. He's really leading the way on our instrument!" (Vibraphonist Tony Miceli)

"Besides loads of natural talent and a well-developed sense of musicality, Dimitris has a great work ethic and attitude." (Ed Saindon - Berklee College)

"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)

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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