Who We Are
Jazz Democracy is an international cultural platform founded in 2018 by Dimitrios Vassilakis that connects jazz, education, research, and innovation across Europe and the Mediterranean.
The first historic presentation of the Jazz Democracy concept took place at the United Nations in New York on April 30, 2018, in celebration of International Jazz Day.
This milestone was realised through the invitation of the Permanent Delegation of Greece to the United Nations and with the support of major institutions, including the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, the Greek National Tourism Organisation, EKPA, Georgia Tech, and other international partners.
International Presence & Recognition
Jazz Democracy has been presented internationally through performances, talks, and collaborations,
including:
Mission & Vision
Jazz Democracy is based on the idea that jazz is more than a musical genre — it is a model of communication.
Through improvisation, listening, and interaction, jazz demonstrates how individuals can collaborate and create together in a democratic and inclusive way.
Our mission is to promote dialogue through art and to develop innovative connections between music, education, science, and society.
Governance
Executive Board
Dimitrios Vassilakis | President & Artistic Director
Dimitrios Vassilakis is an internationally acclaimed saxophonist, composer, vocalist and academic, with award-winning recordings for Candid Records.
He has performed at leading venues worldwide, including Jazz at Lincoln Centre, Birdland, Yale University, the Smithsonian Institution, the Onassis Cultural Centre and the London Jazz Festival.
He has taught at institutions such as Yale, Columbia, Georgia Tech, Queen Mary University London, and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and is currently a researcher and lecturer at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
His work explores the intersection of jazz, poetry, performance and artificial intelligence, including collaborations with institutions such as IRCAM, Demokritos and Georgia Tech, as well as projects involving the Shimon Robot.
He is the founder of Jazz Democracy and Artistic Director of the Rhodes & South Aegean International Jazz Festival (RIJF).
Elena Michailou | Vice President, Treasurer & Financial Oversight
Elena Michailou is an educator specialising in music and movement education (Orff Schulwerk), with studies in pedagogy, dance, and music in Greece and abroad.
She has presented educational programs internationally, including collaborations with Columbia University, Skidmore College, AOSA, and the Hellenic Centre London.
Her work focuses on connecting music, movement, and creativity through experiential learning, working with children, adolescents, and adults.
She is the Director of Educational Programs for Jazz Democracy and Administrative Director of the Matey Dance School, where she develops innovative programs such as Children & Parents, based on Orff pedagogy.
Maria Kritsotaki | Artistic & Production Coordinator
Maria Kritsotaki is a jazz vocalist and performer with studies in Greece and the Netherlands, including a Bachelor’s in Jazz Voice from the Prince Claus Conservatoire.
She has performed in festivals and productions across Europe, working in jazz, free improvisation and interdisciplinary performance.
She has collaborated with leading musicians of the international jazz scene and participated in major academic and artistic programs.
Maria is also active as a vocal educator and is involved in the artistic and production coordination of Jazz Democracy.
Local Collaborator (Rhodes)
Eleftherios Hatziantonis
Eleftherios Hatziantonis is a musician based in Rhodes, with studies in piano, harmony and saxophone at the University of Macedonia.
He has performed in various musical projects and festivals, including the Rhodes Jazz Festival and RIJF.
He supports the local implementation and development of Jazz Democracy activities in Rhodes.
Academic & Advisory Board
University of Cincinnati (CCM), Newcastle University, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), University of Ioannina, CNRS / French School of Athens (EFA), Aegean University
Our Core Activities
RIJF Festival
The Rhodes & South Aegean International Jazz Festival (RIJF) is the flagship initiative of Jazz Democracy, developed in sisterhood with the Bodrum and Ankara Jazz Festivals.
MedMus Conference
The MedMus Conference is the academic pillar of Jazz Democracy, focusing on Mediterranean improvisation and interdisciplinary research.
Educational Programs
Jazz Democracy develops educational projects, seminars, and workshops in collaboration with leading institutions, including EKPA, NTUA, Demokritos, Queen Mary University of London, and Georgia Tech.
Jazz & AI (Creative Intelligence)
Jazz Democracy explores the interaction between jazz improvisation and artificial intelligence through performances, research, and collaborations.
Projects include:
- Jazz Improvisation & AI interaction (EKPA LabMat)
- Demokritos collaborations
- NTUA Researchers’ Night
- Athens Science Festival
- Me & AI Conference
- Singularity University