Biography
Job title: Principal Lecturer: Jazz
Courses taught: BA (Hons) Music (Jazz), BA (Hons) Music (Popular)
Specialisms: jazz performance
Born in Sweden
Lived in Stockholm from 1981-1990 and studied with Alvaro Is Rojas (formerly with Josephine Baker,Grady Tate, Joe Farrell) and Ola Bengtson (head of Jazz Department, Stockholm Royal Academy).
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,Rock,Blues,Jazz,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.
Since 2003 he holds a MMus (Masters in Music Performance) through the University of Leeds.
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 music industry.
He has frequently performed all over England and Greece 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) and with Greg Hutchinson (3 October 2015).
Latest projects are with George Kontrafouris and Adam Nussbaum, released internationally on FMR records. www.jiannispavlidis.com/#organtrio and a duo recording with ex student Matt Anderson on new jazz records label.
‘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
