Van Manakas studied with Pat Metheny at the Berklee College of Music, earning his B.A. in composition. He made his recording debut as a sideman with Jack Tottle on Backroad Mandolin. At 21, he was hired by Gil Evans, with whom he toured the U.S. and Europe. He released his debut album, Physical, in 1980, followed by Love Songs in 1985. In the mid-'80s, he entered into a partnership with pianist Scott Cossu that resulted in five albums before Cossu was disabled by a car accident. While playing on sessions and soundtracks, Manakas continued to make solo albums, including Letters From the Equator (1992), Mountain (1995), and American Guitar (2000). ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi