Matt Panayides is a creative jazz guitarist....

"Matt is definitely a bright new face on the Jazz guitar scene. He is a gifted player as well as composer with a warm, clear sound"

~ Vic Juris

"Matt Panayides has developed into one of the premier guitarists of his generation.”

~ Garry Dial

Matt Panayides is a creative jazz guitarist who is fanatical about performing music and sharing it with others. Born in Cincinnati and raised in Indianapolis, he has been leading his own groups in New York for more than 10 years. While always seeking his own voice on his instrument, Matt’s playing has been influenced by guitar giants such as Grant Green, Pat Martino, Allan Holdsworth and Jimmy Raney. His compositions seek to paint a picture in the listeners’ mind which feels both unforced and fresh. His compelling melodies remain sing-able and uncomplicated while offering distinctive challenges for the improviser. 

Mr. Panayides has performed or recorded with some great musicians including Mulgrew Miller, Jane Monheit, Dan Weiss, Clarence Penn, Mark Ferber, Rich Perry, and Steve LaSpina among many others. He has also performed in several well-known NYC clubs such as Smalls, Cornelia Street Café, 55 Bar, Birdland, Smoke, Somethin’ Jazz Club and Shrine to name a few. He has also begun to play on the international jazz festival scene starting with the Daegu Jazz Festival in South Korea this past summer (2012).

In January of 2011 Matt released his first album as a leader on the Pacific Coast Jazz record label and has received many outstanding reviews from the jazz press. The album features his original compositions with Rich Perry on tenor saxophone, Steve LaSpina on bass and Dan Weiss on drums. 

In 2008 Matt finished his Masters in Jazz Performance at William Paterson University. His master’s thesis entitled: “Towards the Creation of a New Jazz Guitar Pedagogy” details the organizational approaches of three influential jazz guitarists. He is currently in the process of molding the lessons learned in these studies into useful pedagogical tools for his students.

Mr. Panayides graduated from Manhattan School of Music in 2000 with a degree in jazz guitar performance. While attending this renowned institution he was mentored by Rodney Jones and studied with Chris Rosenberg and Garry Dial. 

Matt currently splits his time between performing and teaching.