Rafik Mankarios - Drummer and Bandleader

Rafik Mankarios has been a Montreal professional drummer for more than 3 decades! Exposed very early to musical performances & events, Rafik possesses incredible musical experience. He’s had countless great performances, shows, recordings and tours to his credit, including the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Jazz à Vienne Festival in France, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, and the Victoria Drumfest. After more than two decades of professional music with many groups and artists, Rafik Mankarios has set up his own musical projects: The Jazz Latin Djam, the Rafik Mankarios Big Band, and Dance Knights Orchestra which have become emeritus groups, collecting awards and recognition from the Quebec JazzFest, the Canada MusicFest, and wild popular reviews from their fans for their high quality performances.

Very versalite in Pop, Jazz, Rock, Funk and Latin, Rafik Mankarios presently directs the Rafik Mankarios Big Band, a powerhouse jazz performance ensemble, and the very successful top 40 band - Dance Knights Orchestra - that regularly plays big corporate events, weddings and galas.