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Matt Panayides: With Eyes Closed

By Richard J Salvucci
February 10, 2025
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This is a charming recording: reflective, tranquil and built around the compositions of some of the most distinguished players and composers of what ought to be called the American Jazz Songbook. Here you have music written by

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter,

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson,

Woody Shaw

trumpet
1944 - 1989

" data-original-title="" title="">Woody Shaw,

Cedar Walton

piano
1934 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Cedar Walton and

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea, to name only the figures in one strain. If taste runs to Jimmy van Huesen,

Frank Foster

saxophone
1928 - 2011

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Foster,

Henry Mancini

composer / conductor
1924 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Henry Mancini, or Jules Stein, well, that is more than adequately covered. Pianoless trios are hardly a novelty anymore, but

Matt Panayides

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Panayides,

Steve LaSpina

bass
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve LaSpina and

Anthony Pinciotti

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony Pinciotti combine about as gracefully as a listener could want. The world is frantic; the recording is a welcome respite. And this is not dinner jazz or something of that ilk.

Listen to the deft interplay between guitar, bass and drums—harmonic and rhythmic—on "Ju Ju" or "Nefertiti." The recording may be titled With Eyes Closed but that is probably not a good strategy for the ears. LaSpina's chops and

Scott LaFaro

bass
1936 - 1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott LaFaro-like lines mesh well with Panayides' acoustic reflections, all moved along by Pinciotti's tastefully understated drumming, especially on "Ju-Ju," where Pinciotti plays the bass drum in an extended solo without shaking the bookshelves on which the speakers may be resting. "Serenity" is hard- swinging but never boisterous with Panayides as the lead voice. The recording may be an act of conversation, but it is a witty one, as collective improvisation ideally is. Everybody has lots of chops, clearly, but they are deployed in the service of artistry, not showing off. Nice touch, as

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis used to say, is a mild understatement.

Someone might be pardoned for wondering if "Moon River" and "Darn That Dream" are really going to work with the rest of the repertoire? "Moon River" turns out to be a solo vehicle for Panayides, and a very original one in which no one will remember

Andy Williams

" data-original-title="" title="">Andy Williams. Panayides and LaSpina get together on "Darn that Dream." Here LaSpina's arco on the bass is quite musical and affecting, the perfect foil to Panayides rubato, slightly held-back phrasing. So, yes, musicianship and good taste basically bridge gaps in genre and generation. Good players can make anything sound pretty, and this trio is composed of nothing if not very good players.

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Track Listing

Simone; Straight Up And Down; I Fall in Love Too Easily; Hindsight; Nefertiti; Serenity; Ju Ju; Mode for Joe; Moon River; The Moontrane; Darn That Dream.

Personnel

Matt Panayides

guitar

Steve LaSpina

bass

Anthony Pinciotti

drums

Album information

Title: With Eyes Closed | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Pacific Coast Jazz

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