KATERINA PARRI
rini, a Greek artist with roots in Crete and a global career based in New York, is redefining Greek tradition and claiming her place on the GRAMMY Awards stage. A versatile vocalist, composer, and producer, she presents a contemporary approach to the rizitiko, a traditional Cretan vocal form historically performed exclusively by men.
Her song “Se Psilo Vouno” (On a High Mountain), submitted for this year’s GRAMMY Awards, offers a cinematic interpretation of the rizitiko tradition, combining striking orchestration with a deeply emotional performance. Erini’s voice creates a living dialogue between heritage and modernity, bridging past and present while introducing elements of Greek and Cretan cultural identity to a global audience. Through this work, she positions Greek musical heritage on the international world music stage.
A Message of Freedom and Empowerment
Beyond her musical vision, Erini embodies themes of liberation and female empowerment. In a symbolic gesture, she performs wearing the traditional Cretan men’s cape (kapota), challenging social stereotypes and reclaiming space within cultural expressions historically dominated by men.
From Crete to Berklee – and the GRAMMYs
An internationally acclaimed vocalist, composer, producer, and Berklee College of Music professor since 2019, Erini moves effortlessly across genres and cultures, building bridges between Greece and the world.
Raised in Crete, she has already collaborated with GRAMMY Award-winning artists such as Danilo Pérez, Terri Lyne Carrington, Luciana Souza, Eugene Friesen, and Daniel Hope, among others. Her performances have graced some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Panama Jazz Festival, the London Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott’s, TD Garden, and Abbey Road Studios.
Erini has delivered lectures and workshops at leading institutions, including Harvard University and Princeton University, and in 2023 she was selected as an Official Showcase Artist at WOMEX, the world’s most influential global music expo. She has performed on two of China’s largest television networks (Hunan TV & BRTV) and has received multiple awards, including recognition from New Music USA, the Greek America Foundation (“40 Under 40” Award), and the Massachusetts Cultural Council (Traditional Arts Fellowship).
In addition, she serves as a choral competition judge for the FDF and is the co-founder of the non-profit organization Avlés. Her latest album, “Fos” (Light), released in 2024, continues to travel the world through a series of international concerts.
