Cretan music and rebetiko performances in Shanghai,September 2018

In the context of the Shanghai World Music Festival, two Greek bands, Vasilas Gang and Manolakis Trio, gave a series of concerts in Shanghai and Chongqing between September 19 – 24. The two bands represent two distinct genres of Greek music, the rebetiko and Cretan music respectively.

Grigoris Vasilas, who was accompanied by 3 members of his band Pyrinas, is considered one of the greatest virtuosos of bouzouki, the most popular Greek instrument. His performances included classic songs of the rebetiko repertoire as well as his own compositions, played with his unique style and rich orchestrations.

Manolakis, on the other hand, playing the Cretan lute, is an excellent connoisseur of traditional Cretan music. However, being himself a composer, he likes to explore various music paths and experiment with different instruments. In Shanghai he was accompanied by world class musicians Andreas Polyzogopoulos in trumpet and Nikos Sidirokastritis in drums, proving how traditional music can be merged with jazz.

Both bands performed in front of crowds of hundreds of people, at the Shanghai Grand Theatre and open spaces, gaining their warm applause. The concerts were supported by the Greek Consulate General in Shanghai.

Cretan music and rebetiko performances
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