Matt Dwonszyk is an accomplished bassist, composer, arranger and educator from Rocky Hill, CT. He graduated from the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz studying under his mentor and world-renowned bassist, Nat Reeves and then went on to receive his Masters degree from SUNY Purchase College. Dwonszyk lived in New York City from 2015-2020 and got his start at Smalls performing with drummer Jonathan Barber.    Dwonszyk returned back home to Connecticut during the 2020 pandemic but moved back to NY in 2023. He performs frequently throughout New England, splitting his time between performing and teaching.    Throughout his career, Dwonszyk has performed and recorded with numerous contemporaries as well as legendary jazz artists including Steve Davis, Bennie Wallace, Harold Mabern, Larry Willis, George Cables, Dr. Eddie Henderson, Jazzmeia Horn, Joey Alexander among many others. He currently plays bass with Jonathan Barber and Vision Ahead, The Jon Davis Trio, Sarah Hanahan Quartet and the Julieta Eugenio Trio. With the Julieta Eugenio Trio, Dwonszyk won the 2022 DC JazzPrix Competition at the Washington, DC Jazz Festival.    June of 2024, Dwonszyk toured through Europe with Jonathan Barber and Vision Ahead performing in Paris France, Muri Switzerland and at London’s illustrious jazz club, Ronnie Scotts. His last tour was through Mexico with the Joe Farnsworth Quartet featuring Emmet Cohen and Sarah Hanahan. He frequently performs at some of the top jazz clubs in New York City including Smalls Jazz Club, Mezzrow, Ornithology, Dizzy's Coca Cola Club, Smoke and The Blue Note.    Since 2019, Dwonszyk has been a faculty member of Manchester Community College and Central Connecticut State College teaching jazz bass and jazz history. He also teaches at the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz located at University of Hartford. In the summer, he teaches at Bennie Wallace’s Back Country Jazz Program and Litchfield Jazz Camp. ​  Dwonszyk's debut recording, "Wonderful World", was released May of 2019 featuring trombonist Steve Davis. His second album, "A Year and a Day", was released July 1st, 2022 featuring Dwonszyk’s band, the Dwonztet. In 2024, the Dwonztet performed at the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, Hartford Jazz Festival and the Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival.   Dwonszyk performs at Smalls and Mezzrow Jazz Club frequelty as a sideman with Jonathan Barber, Jon Davis, Julieta Eugenio and Sarah Hanahan. He also occasianlly leads his own group.