Matt Panayides

Matt Panayides is a highly acclaimed guitarist and composer based in New York City. Influenced by guitar legends such as Jim Hall, John Scofield, Wes Montgomery, Jimi Hendrix, and Joni Mitchell, he has created a unique sound that has earned him worldwide recognition. Panayides is known for his distinctive playing style and improvisational skills, and he can often be found leading his own groups and collaborating with other musicians both in New York City and abroad.

Currently, Panayides is focused on applying concepts developed on his previous three albums to the solo and trio jazz guitar format. He is exploring the American songbook repertoire and compositions by great jazz composers, sculpting arrangements that showcase the natural acoustic sound of his hollow body guitar made by Victor Baker. This marks a departure for him as he moves away from his more electric and effects-driven sound and original compositions.

Panayides has an impressive discography that includes three recordings on the Pacific Coast Jazz record label, all featuring his compositions: "Field Theory" (2021) with Matt Vashlishan (EWI), Rich Perry (tenor sax), Robert Sabin (bass), and Mark Ferber (drums), "Conduits" (2015) with Rich Perry (tenor sax), Mark Ferber (drums), and Thomspson Kneeland (bass), and "Tapestries of Song" (2011) with Rich Perry (tenor sax), Steve LaSpina (bass), and Dan Weiss (drums). He has also collaborated with renowned musicians such as Korean drummer Oh Jong Dae in Seoul and Shanghai jazz legend Alec Haavik in China.

Panayides' musical journey began in Ohio and Indiana, where he played the piano before switching to the guitar inspired by the likes of Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix. He discovered jazz in high school and continued his education at the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with jazz guitarist Rodney Jones and pianist Garry Dial, both of whom have had a lasting impact. Panayides holds a BM from the Manhattan School of Music and an MM from William Paterson University.