Biography
Job Title: Principal Lecturer
Courses Taught: BA (Hons) Music (Jazz), BA (Hons) Music (Popular), Foundation
Specialisms: Specialist Study and Specialist Group Study
Instruments taught: Guitar
Through 1990-1994 attended Berklee College of Music having partial scolarship ( graduated with Magna Cum Laude and won the Professional Performance Achievement Division Award) and studied guitar with Jon Damian (tutor for Bill Frisell, Wayne Krantz, Kurt Rosenwinkel) , and attended classes under the direction of Rick Peckham, Hal Crook, Fred Lipsius(Blood Sweat and Tears) as well as having external private lessons with Jerry Bergonzi.
Started working Professionally in 1983 and since then has performed across all genres (POP,Jazz,Blues,Rock,Greek folk music) in Sweden, USA, Serbia, Greece, Cyprus and England, with numerous appearances in live music venues, on Greek national TV and international festivals.
Currently teaching as a principal lecturer on BA Jazz, BA Pop (principal studies, ensembles) at Leeds Conservatoire (2003-present). Many of his former students are pursuing a successful career within the UK an EU music industry.
He has frequently performed all over England and Europe for the last 10 years, participating in tours and recordings as a leader and with world renowned artists David Liebman (2005,2010), Adam Nussbaum (2007,2010,2011), with Greg Hutchinson (October 2015) and Ari Hoenig (October 2019)
‘It gives a good sample of the trio's robust level of expertise... heavy groove, great solos, elegant organ-guitar-driven swinging jazz." - Jazzrytmit (Finland)
"strutting, feel-good funk, faultlessly executed by a virtuoso guitar/organ/drums trio." - The Press (UK)
"Great tunes, great groove and stunning solos from all…" - Jazzonline (Greece)
' Jiannis is a very talanted guitarist with a very good mind for composition and
arranging.The whole experience was a real pleasure.'-David Liebman
'Astonishing virtuosity combined with wonderful compositions.' - Leeds Guide
'Brilliant guitarist and Jazz educator...' - 7jazz
'...The guitar-led trio Pavilidis played some spiky originals and gave a new
twist on standards with some refreshingly quirky arrangements....' - The Press
