For almost four decades, Jack Pantazis has been an in-demand professional musician and an educator with approximately 30 years of teaching experience. Jack is fundamentally a jazz musician whose mastery skills and artistry also crosses over into other styles such as pop, rock, fusion, latin, classical and more.
His consummate playing skills have had him performing with people ranging from big bands that includes ‘The Daryl McKenzie Jazz Orchestra’ (on going member for the past 17 years), ‘The Tim Davies Big Band’, ‘The Toshi Clinch Big Band’ to smaller outfits such as his own groups ‘The Jack Pantazis Group’, ‘Synchronicity’ and playing tribute to ‘Wes Montgomery group and bands such as ‘Dig We Must’.
Jack has accompanied international artists that include Mike Stern (ex-Miles Davis guitarist), American jazz great trombonist Bill Watrous, our own Australians James Morrison, and Marina Prior just to name a few.
Jack is the guitarist for channel Nine’s Australia wide broadcast of ‘Carols By Candlelight Orchestra’ (for the past 8 years) under the baton of John Foreman.
Apart from live bands Jack has also been involved in playing in pit orchestras. Musicals that include ‘Rent’, ‘Mama Mia’, ‘The Lion King’, ‘Wicked’ at The Regent and Her Majesty’s Theatres in Melbourne.
The educating side of Jack sees him as a teacher in the VET system teaching at Melbourne Polytechnic . Teaching subjects ranging from theory, aural, rhythm, guitar ensemble and bands … and of course guitar.
In the past couple years Jack has also traveled and performed in Greece, taking the stage with some of Greece’s amazing musicians playing his own compositions. Of course the Pantazis name is familiar to Australian Musician followers, our Music of the Month for April this year was Jack’s brother and much respected drummer Gerry Pantazis.
Jack Pantazis has just released his 3rd album, ‘Because Of Her’, an accomplished, jazz flavoured recording which showcases the various styles and textures of Jack’s playing. Featuring Tony Hicks, Adam Spiegel, Phil Binotto and Gerry Pantazis, the Jack Pantazis Group play with precision and flair, complementing and elevating Jack’s music to great heights. From complex jazz rhythms to fusion, classical ballads and latin-tinged moods, this world class collection of original tunes will appease the most discerning of music fans.
Australian Musician’s Greg Phillips caught up with Jack Pantazis over a zoom call to chat about the creation of ‘Because Of Her’.