Nick Panoutsos

In the three years that Nick Panoutsos has been teaching for SJW, he’s become one of the most popular of all SJW’s bass instructors. His expertise is vast, and his mastery of the instrument is truly impressive. But best of all, Nick loves teaching, and his warm and easy-going manner makes him a favorite among our students of all ages.

Nick has become an increasingly prominent voice in the New York City jazz community since moving from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2016. He has earned a reputation as a versatile collaborator and leader on both upright and electric bass. His forthcoming album, Monos, features solo bass performances of his own compositions and Greek folk songs. Originally from San Jose, California, Panoutsos studied with Bruce Moyer, principal bass of Monterey Symphony, and John Shifflett, the beloved first-call Bay Area jazz bassist. Both musicians helped to refine Panoutsos’s technique and gave him the skills necessary to pick up work as a sideman, and eventually a bandleader.

When he moved to New York, Panoutsos began taking lessons with Martin Wind, Gregg August, and Yasushi Nakamura, in addition to performing several nights a week at clubs in midtown Manhattan and the East Village. Throughout his time in New York, Panoutsos has collaborated with Queens-based singer songwriter duendita, and has performed with pianist Gil Goldstein. During return visits to the West Coast, he has led his own band at the San Jose Jazz Festival, toured locally and recorded with the Richard Howell Quartet, and performed alongside Bay Area improvisers Steven Lugerner and Richard Sears. Nick teaches private music lessons for all ages in Brooklyn.