Merriman’s Playhouse  is proud to bring the Matt Panayides Trio to South Bend, IN for the first time. The Matt Panayides Trio will perform new music from an upcoming recording entitled “Field Theory” as well as compositions from his previous recordings “Tapestries of Songs” and “Conduits”, both released on Pacific Coast Jazz. The trio includes Matt Panayides on guitar, John Tate on bass and Jeremy Cunningham on drums. Panayides, originally from Ohio and Indiana, is excited to be back in the midwest performing after a long absence.

Matt  Panayides is a modern guitarist and composer whose compelling melodies, compositions and improvisations have led to performances and collaborations with musicians all over the world. Employing modern harmonies, free and structured improvisations, mixed-meter rhythms and  straight-ahead swing, Panayides has created his own unique musical voice on the guitar. Based in New York City, Matt leads a variety of different musical groups and can be found performing throughout NYC as a  soloist, leading his own trio or quartet, or rounding out the rhythm section of a big band. 

Matt Panayides, Guitarist and Composer

His  current musical project was formed in the Spring of 2018 and is called “Field Theory”. This band has been performing throughout NYC in venues  such as the 55 Bar, Cornelia Street Cafe, Nublu and ShapeShifter Lab. Originally with Matt Vashlishan on wind synth, Bob Sabin on bass and  Mark Ferber on drums Panayides also performs his compositions in trio and solo settings.

Panayides has been taking his music abroad, collaborating with local musicians in South Korea and China who  bring a unique perspective to his compositions. With drummer Jong Dae Oh  in Seoul, Matt has played countless gigs in venues with the top  

musicians on the scene. In Shanghai Matt teams up with saxophonist Alec Haavik. With some US dates scheduled for the end of 2019, Panayides will  record his third album, set to be released in 2020. His previous group  featured a long-standing partnership with Rich Perry on tenor sax which led to the creation of two albums “Conduits” (2015) with  Rich Perry,  Mark Ferber and Thomson Kneeland, and “Tapestries of Song” (2011)  with  Rich Perry, Steve LaSpina and Dan Weiss. Both albums were released on the label Pacific Coast Jazz to much acclaim and feature Panayides’  compositions. Matt holds a BM from Manhattan School of Music and an MM  from William Paterson University.

John Tate, Bassist

A  member of New York City’s creative music community, Brooklyn-residing  bassist, composer, and educator John Tate has performed throughout North  America, Central America, South America, Europe, and Australia with musicians including Von Freeman, Matt Wilson, Marquis Hill, Tony Malaby,  Ben Monder, Jeff Parker, Carl Allen, Rodney Jones, Bill Carrothers,  Victor Goines, and George Fludas, among others. Tate holds a Bachelor of  Arts in Jazz Performance from Northern Illinois University and an  Artist Diploma in Jazz Studies from the Juilliard School. During his time at Juilliard, Tate was an apprentice of distinguished bassist and  pedagogue Ron Carter. 

Jeremy Cunningham, Drummer

Jeremy Cunningham is a drummer, composer, and improviser. Originally from Cincinnati, he moved to Chicago in 2009, where he currently performs and composes as an integral part of the city’s vibrant music scene. Since moving to Chicago, Cunningham has performed with an impressive roster of luminaries such as Von Freeman, Jeff Parker, Mike Allemana, Marquis Hill, Caroline Davis, Nick Mazzarella, Greg Ward, Will Miller, Lane Beckstrom, and Dave Rempis. He can be heard on Resavoir’s eponymous debut on International Anthem, Marquis Hill's albums "New Gospel" and "Sounds of the City," Caroline Davis’s “Live, Work, Play,” as well as Nick Mazzarella’s Meridian Trio recording “Triangulum.” 

“Jeremy Cunningham’s up-coming record is a testament to his commitment to sound, feel and creativity that sets him apart from other drummers. I am inspired by his vulnerable and honest approach to music both as a drummer and composer. This record is beautifully diverse, heartfelt and chalk full great playing. Strongly recommended.”-Makaya McCraven

"He's very sensitive, yet a wonderfully powerful drummer. He tastefully drives, and provides a sound heartbeat..." —Marquis Hill

http://www.mattpanayides.com/