FREE - Jazz Night with Matt Dwonszyk & band plus OPEN JAM

Matt Dwonszyk is a Connecticut-born, New York-based, bassist, composer, arranger, bandleader and educator.

Dwonszyk has shared the bandstand with trumpeter Eddie Henderson; saxophonist Bennie Wallace; trombonist Steve Davis; pianists George Cables, Harold Mabern, Larry Willis, and Joey Alexander; and vocalist Jazzmeia Horn, among many others. He can regularly be found with drummer Jonathan Barber’s Vision Ahead, trios by pianist Jon Davis and saxophonist Julieta Eugenio, and saxophonist Sarah Hanahan’s quartet. He also leads his namesake ensemble, the Dwonztet.

The bassist has been described by trombonist Peter McEachern as “deep, sincere, hard-working, valuable to know and work with” drummer Ben Bilello as “always ready to embrace a challenge,” and bassist Nat Reeves as “very impressive,” praising his “great playing.” Bassist Doug Weiss characterizes Dwonszyk as “an old soul,” noting, “his playing and musical conception transmit a deep feeling of swing and joy.”

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Dwonszyk began playing the electric bass at age eleven. At the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts High School, he switched to upright bass, thereby embarking on his journey into the heart of jazz. He then attended the Jackie McLean-founded Artists Collective after-school program, under the direction of the sax legend’s son, René.