The jazz guitar trio format is put to good use on With Eyes Closed, the 2024 album released by Matt Panayides Trio. As in rock music, the trio sound and approach often provides an intimate and close-up view of each player and on his new album Matt is joined by Steve LaSpina (bass) and Anthony Pinciotti (drums). Matt’s guitar-centric studio recording approach shines a spotlight on this tight jazz trio.

With Eyes Closed also serves as a kind of best-of jazz tribute album to some of the finest modern jazz composer giants and among those given the jazz guitar trio treatment by Matt Panayides Trio are Frank Foster, Chick Corea, songwriter Jimmy Van Huesen, Henry Mancini, Wayne Shorter and more. Most of the album is straight-ahead jazz and the consistency of delivery gives the album a well-balanced, pleasant-sounding flow. 

Roots Music Report presents a new interview with Matt Panayides

RMR: How would you compare With Eyes Closed with your other albums? How many albums and recordings have you made as a leader and/or otherwise as a sideman?

Matt Panayides: This is my fourth album as a leader, and it marks my first trio recording. My first three albums, Tapestries of Song, Conduits, and Field Theory, were entirely made up of my original compositions in quartet and quintet instrumentation. These recordings often feature the immediately identifiable voice of Rich Perry. In these compositions, I sought to explore many different aspects of music composition and improvisation—from structured and dense harmonies to completely free and open sections. These pieces aim to tell a story to the listener, to envelop them in a sonic world.

On With Eyes Closed, I wanted to shift the focus to compositions by other artists who have profoundly influenced me. It’s an exploration of how these compositions have shaped my musical identity while allowing me to interpret them in my own voice.

As a sideman, I've been very involved as a guitarist and also as a producer of the Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra. Her big band writing is very unique and inspiring, and it has given me the opportunity to meet and play with many of the best musicians in NYC.

RMR: Tell us about the musicians you chose for With Eyes Closed, and what is the musical chemistry like between each of the players?

Matt Panayides: Steve LaSpina is an exceptional bassist, and I’m incredibly fortunate to have had the chance to work with him. He brings a unique combination of depth and openness to his playing. Steve’s feel is so grounded and swinging, yet spacious, and he has an uncanny ability to elevate everything I play. His solos are lyrical and virtuosic, making the interplay between the guitar and bass intuitive and dynamic.

Anthony Pinciotti’s drumming is equally lyrical. He has an incredible sense of time that feels solid and mature, establishing an unquestioned groove as soon as the tune begins. I like to play with pushing and pulling time, and Anthony’s approach keeps everything grounded without being rigid. His playing brings a melodic sensibility to the rhythm, and together with Steve, they form an incredibly sympathetic unit. The moment I knew these were the players for this recording was during a gig at Mezzrow in NYC, where the synergy between us clicked immediately.

Both Steve and Anthony share a deep respect and love for this music, which makes working with them so rewarding. They’ve both been involved in previous projects of mine, but this trio feels uniquely special.

RMR: Tell us how you chose the music on With Eyes Closed. Some of the tracks are better known, with “Moon River” being a timeless standard. With the jazz giants honored here, does the album serve as a kind of modern-day classic jazz tribute album and how far back do you personally go with these songs?

Matt Panayides: Each tune on this album has a story behind it, and the unifying thread is that these compositions come from artists who have had a significant impact on me. These are pieces I’ve studied and played for many years, but more than that, they’re incredibly fun to play and offer a lot of room for creative interpretation.

For a long time, I was hesitant to record jazz standards or even modern jazz tunes. I wanted to find a way to approach these pieces that felt authentic and not just a repetition of what had been done before. Eventually, I realized I could approach these compositions with the same mindset I use for my original work—allowing the framework of the tune to guide my creative ideas. This perspective gave me the freedom to express my own voice within these timeless works. The result, I hope, is an album that honors the legacy of these compositions while offering something fresh and personal.

RMR: What are your other plans for 2025 as far as playing live concerts, videos, writing and recording new music?

Matt Panayides: I plan to head back into the studio early in the year to record a second volume. Since completing With Eyes Closed, I’ve been inspired by several other jazz compositions I’d like to reinterpret. The guitar trio format is such a fascinating and challenging setup, and I’m eager to continue exploring its possibilities.

On the performance side, I’ve spent the last year and a half performing in listening venues across the country, including Nashville, Tucson, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Baltimore. I also had the privilege of performing with my musical family in South Korea, which was a deeply meaningful experience. In 2025, I hope to continue these adventures, traveling to new cities, connecting with musicians who share a love for this music, and creating something unique together.

I’m planning a return to South Korea for summer concerts and am finalizing dates for a West Coast tour in the fall. This music has a way of bringing people together, and I’m excited to see where these journeys will take me next.