Jack is an in-demand professional musician and teacher at Melbourne Polytechnic. With over 35 years of experience as a professional musician and almost 30 years experience as a teacher, Jack brings his unique skill set to our Music Performance students. Jack’s busy schedule of teaching and playing is testimony to his dedication, commitment, professionalism and passion for music, all of which he passes on to his students.
Jack has been with Melbourne Polytechnic since 1991. He teaches a range of subjects including theory, aural, rhythm, guitar ensemble and band and, of course, guitar. His versatility and strong guitar skills have enabled him to effortlessly move between genres, from jazz to Latin to rock and anything that has been required of him, allowing him to mentor and coach many students with different strengths.
Jack has performed with people ranging from big bands such as The Daryl McKenzie Jazz Orchestra and The Tim Davies Big Band ,to smaller outfits such as his own groups The Jack Pantazis Group and Synchronicity. He’s been a backing artist with Mike Stern (ex-Miles Davis guitarist), Bill Watrous, James Morrison and Kate Ceberano just to name a few. Jack has also been the guitarist for Channel Nine’s Australia wide broadcast of ‘Carols By Candlelight Orchestra’ for the past 4 years under the baton of John Foreman. He’s also been in the pit orchestras for musicals such as ‘Rent’, ‘Mama Mia’, ‘The Lion King’, ‘Wicked’ at The Regent and Her Majesty’s Theatres in Melbourne.