Matthew Vacanti
Setnor School of Music
Instructor, Applied Music and Performance (Jazz/Commercial String Bass)

301 Crouse College
Syracuse, NY 13244-1010
315.443.2191
A highly accomplished bass player, he has become a first-call bassist in Central New York. 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 20-year veteran public school educator, clinician, and orchestra conductor. He taught in Buffalo and Fulton school districts, as well as Oswego State. In 2000 he was awarded “Teacher of the Year” from the chamber of commerce
As the co-founder of the SAMMY award winning modern jazz group E.S.P, Matt and his group play at clubs and festivals around the northeast. Matt is a skilled recording engineer and record producer as well, producing several SAMMY (Syracuse Area Music) award-winning records for Central NY musicians as well as his own group.
As a composer and arranger, Matt has penned a sizable catalogue of music for jazz as well as educational compositions for school orchestras.In 2017, Matt opened his own business called “ArcoArt Violin Shop” where he repairs and sells fine stringed instruments.
Education
- M.A., Eastman School of Music, SUNY Oswego
- B.M., SUNY Fredonia