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Matthew F. Vacanti

A highly accomplished bass player, Matt's training in classical bass has helped him become a first-call bassist in Central New York for string, fretless and fretted bass. He can bow a beautiful solo on an upright, then turn around and slap a funky backbeat on electric. Over the years he has worked with Joey DeFrancisco, Ron Jackson, Kevin Mahagony, Willie and Lobo and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas to name a few.

Matt is a skilled recording engineer and record producer as well. He started Spider Records back in 1990 and has produced many Sammy (Syracuse Area Music) award-winning records for CNY musicians. In this respect, Matt is the driving force behind all the E.S.P. records since the creation of the band.

As a composer and arranger, Matt has penned a sizable catalogue of music for jazz as well as educational compositions for school orchestras.

Matt is a 20 year veteran public school educator, clinician and orchestra conductor with experience teaching orchestra and jazz ensembles from beginners to college level.

Gear

1989 Pedulla Buzz Bass
1930 Jagar flat back String Bass
Underwood Transducers
Gallien Kruger bass amps


Tags

8
Album Review

Dave Solazzo: Locrian Skye

Read "Locrian Skye" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Pianist Dave Solazzo and The Bridge--a trio that includes drummer Bill D'Augustino and bassist Matthew Vacanti--may be better known in the jazz world as accomplished sidemen, but they came together in 2023 to record Locrian Skye, with the pianist serving as the leader. In some ways, the music recalls the standard jazz piano trio mode--the music of Bill Evans, Tommy Flanagan and Ahmad Jamal. In other ways, there is an elasticity of interplay, with unconventional harmonics and rhythms lurking in ...

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Primary Instrument

Bass

Location

Syracuse

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Matt has been an orchestra director at the Fulton N.Y. public school for twenty years, and earned the title of "Teacher of the Year" for his outstanding work with the kids in Fulton. He has also taught at the college level at Oswego State University as an adjunct professor and clinician.

Clinic/Workshop Information

Matt has served as a jazz clinician, bass clinician, and guest conductor at the high school and college level, in both orchestral and jazz studies

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Photos

Concerts

Apr 30 Tue

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Locrian Skye

Spider Records
2024

buy

Ready or NOT

Spider Records
2021

buy

Zero Gravity

Spider Records
2017

buy

Reach

Spider Records
2011

buy

Salina Street

From: Locrian Skye
By Matthew F. Vacanti

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