The much-needed rain that fell last night gave Athens a brief breath of clarity the next morning. Fallen leaves, some still clinging to their yellow hues, others already swept along the sidewalks and parks, remind us that we’ve entered November — the final act of autumn.
Though the forecasts promise chillier days and heavy skies, the news comes as a kind of comfort. After a long, dry spell, the reservoirs around Attica are thirsty; the rain feels like renewal. And as the season slowly unfurls across the Mediterranean capital — before Christmas lights and carols flood the city — Athens’s music stages seem to conspire with the mood of the weather.
Small and large Athens’ venues invite us to slow down and listen. They dress the fall atmosphere in the sounds that suit it best: the wistful melancholy of jazz, the warmth of a saxophone, and the intimate glow of candlelight.
Below, we’ve gathered some of the standout jazz performances filling the city this November — each one offering its own way to keep the season swinging.
November 6
Katerina Adamopoulou Quartet @ Half Note Jazz Club
One of the most expressive voices in the Greek jazz scene presents her debut album We’ll Meet Again, a blend of contemporary jazz originals and elegant takes on classic standards. Her music moves between introspection and swing, wrapped in narrative lyrics and modern harmony.
Harris Lambrakis Quartet @ Theatre of the NO
Blending modal jazz with Greek and Eastern Mediterranean sounds, the quartet performs favorites alongside new material from their upcoming album Late Star. Expect improvisation, warmth, and a distinct sense of place.
Line-up: Harris Lambrakis (ney), Dimitris Theocharis (piano), Dimitris Tsekouras (double bass), Nikos Sidirokastritis (drums)
November 7
A Tribute to Tony Bennett by Alexandros Affolter Quartet @ Theatre of the NO
Celebrating 100 years since the birth of Tony Bennett, this tribute captures his timeless charm through beloved hits like “Because of You” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”
Credit: Theater of the NO/Facebook
Mode Plagal @ Orfeas Live Bar
Blending jazz with Greek roots, Balkan rhythms, and funk grooves, Mode Plagal bring three decades of musical evolution to the stage — still bold, inventive, and utterly unique.
November 8
Lefteris Chavoutzas Trio @ Spiti Art Bar
Original compositions from Sirvart and Sayat, infused with Latin American, flamenco, and Armenian influences.
George Kontrafouris Organ Trio feat. Önder Focan @ Jazzét Music Hall
Greek organ master Kontrafouris teams up with Turkish jazz icon Önder Focan for a powerhouse trio performance — a cross-Mediterranean dialogue in pure Hammond groove.
Franky Meets Ella on the Orient Express @ To Treno sto Rouf
A timeless journey through Sinatra and Fitzgerald classics, reimagined under the soft light of the Orient Express carriage — a long-running favorite returning for its fifth season.
(Another concert is also scheduled for November 15)
November 9
Barakos Orchestra at Baumstrasse
The twelve-member Barakos Orchestra, formed in memory of the late Giorgos Barakos, gathers at Baumstrasse to present a night of original compositions, rich textures, and improvisational energy. With an ensemble featuring flute, saxophones, vibraphone, and piano, this performance brings together some of Greece’s finest jazz musicians. The concert doubles as a fundraiser in support of The Bookstore of the Homeless, turning music into an act of solidarity.
November 12
Fenia Papadodima “Women’s Prayers” @ Half Note Jazz Club
Fenia Papadodima honors the voices of women who changed history through music and poetry, weaving a global jazz tapestry with her ensemble of exceptional musicians.
November 13
Spyros Manesis Trio at Half Note Jazz Club
Renowned pianist and composer Spyros Manesis returns to the stage of Half Note Jazz Club with his newly formed trio, featuring Periklis Trivolis on double bass and longtime collaborator Anastasios Gouliaris on drums. Known for his blend of introspection, lyricism, and daring improvisation, Manesis explores the rich terrain between post-mainstream and modern jazz. Expect a performance that bridges technical mastery with emotional nuance — and marks the debut of an exciting new chapter for one of Greece’s most distinctive jazz voices.
November 14
Jan Van & Fotis Siotas Duo “After Hours” at Vorres Museum
Drummer and modular synth explorer Jan Van Angelopoulos joins violinist and vocalist Fotis Siotas in an unconventional duet inspired by the Balkan zygía tradition — a dynamic interplay between rhythm and melody. Their performance at the Vorres Museum reimagines folk forms through an experimental jazz lens, blending acoustic textures with electronic soundscapes to create a hybrid musical experience that is both primal and forward-looking.
Between Seas Trio at Zp87
Blending Eastern and Western musical traditions, the Between Seas Trio brings a contemporary Mediterranean sound to the intimate Zp87 in Exarchia. The trio — Lefteris Andriotis on Cretan lyra, Simone Mongelli on percussion, and Areti Koltsida on classical guitar — crafts an organic dialogue of tradition and experimentation, where improvisation breathes life into melodies from across the Eastern Mediterranean.
Entrance by donation (no reservations)
November 16
Bade Plot – “Way We Parade” @ Roes Theatre
A cross-disciplinary performance merging dance and jazz improvisation — a dialogue of bodies and instruments exploring collective movement.
November 20
Vangelis Vrachnos Quartet at Half Note Jazz Club
Bassist and composer Vangelis Vrachnos presents Astrografia, his new album exploring contemporary jazz through the cosmic lens of the “Music of the Spheres.” Joined by James Wylie, Thomas Meleteas, and Giorgos Klountzos-Chrysidis, the quartet moves fluidly between structured composition and free improvisation, balancing Greek and Eastern musical influences with a celestial sense of motion and depth.
November 22
Jykä Ahola & Shadow & Light Quartet: A Chet Baker Tribute at Jazzèt Café
On November 22, the warm lights of Jazzèt Café glow with cool jazz nostalgia as Finnish trumpeter Jykä Ahola and his Shadow & Light Quartet pay homage to the legendary Chet Baker. With elegant arrangements and a lyrical sensibility that channels Baker’s signature romantic melancholy, the evening promises to be a heartfelt celebration of the Prince of Cool. Greek vocalist Panos Gerakakis joins the ensemble for a set that blends tenderness and swing — perfect for a late-autumn night in the city.
November 23
Jazz Around the Kids @ Playground for the Arts
An interactive jazz performance for families, blending rhythm, play, and improvisation to introduce children to the language of live music.
Credit : ρυθμοπαιχνιδίσματα/ Facebook
November 26
Asterismyth @ Half Note Jazz Club
A celestial journey through jazz, myth, and storytelling, inspired by constellations and Greek mythology.
November 27
Dimitris Tsakas Trio feat. Amalia Pavlou @ Half Note Jazz Club
The acclaimed saxophonist presents music from his latest album Conversation Helps — modern jazz full of energy, spontaneity, and lyrical freedom.
8–18 November: Jazz @ Megaron Series
The Megaron’s annual Jazz@Megaron series returns for its fourth year, featuring both acclaimed Greek artists and international stars.
Highlights include:
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Dimitris Kalantzis Quartet – “Master’s Voice: Tsitsanis” (8/11)
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Stacey Kent Trio (13/11) – The internationally acclaimed vocalist brings her multilingual repertoire of jazz standards, chansons, and bossa novas to Athens.
