Andy Panayi commands every saxophone and flute he picks up. His virtuosity spans jazz and classical worlds with equal authority.
The list of legends he’s shared a stage with reads like a jazz hall of fame. Wynton Marsalis, Phil Woods, Joe Lovano, Roy Hargrove. Vocalists from Shirley Bassey to Paul McCartney have called on his skills. He’s backed everyone from Freddie Hubbard to Elvis Costello, from Stan Tracey to John Dankworth.
Beyond performing, Panayi shapes the future of jazz education. He holds professorships at the Royal College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, and Birmingham Conservatoire. Both ABRSM and Trinity College London tap his expertise to build their jazz syllabuses.
His trophy cabinet speaks volumes: the Marty Paich Arranging Award, the John Dankworth Soloist Award, the Worshipful Company of Musicians Jazz Medal, and British Jazz Awards for his flute work.
Panayi leads his own ensembles and writes commissioned pieces that bridge improvisation and composition. A master musician at the peak of his powers.