Welcome to Matt's MySpace! The site is primarily maintained by Matt himself, with some occasional help from the Limited Tyme Ladies. I recommend that you leave a comment as it's quicker for him to see. Enjoy!
Matt's Bio (or as close to one as I could put together)
With both parents being professional musicians its easy to assume the music was always going to be a
important part of Matts life.
His first instrument was the Suzuki Violin which he started playing at the age 2-½. At 5 Matt began to play
the piano. Two years later at the age of 7 he was the youngest student accepted in the pre-college program
at the Julliard School of Music.
When asked if he was ever interested in pursuing something other than music, Matt stated that from
the age of 14-16 he wanted to be a professional tennis player. With lots of trophies to celebrate this talent of
tennis, music became too much of a calling for him to deny. Lucky for us fans he listened!
Also around the age of 16 Matt picked up a guitar for the first time and his unique upside down right handed
lefty technique was born. Teaching himself to play he developed some original voicings and different ways of
playing.
Once his years in the high school band were over Matt went on to study at the Manhattan School of Music.
He would graduate receiving his Bachelors degree in Jazz and Commercial music on the guitar. After
graduation this chess playing sushi loving New Yorker began his career in the music industry.
After playing keyboards and guitar for a year and a half during the "Whos Tommy" tour, Matt continued for
two more years as a guitarist for the "Rent" tour. After his 3-½ years playing Broadway Matt went on to play
for a number of musicians.
Being an accomplished keyboard and guitarist, Matt also plays the Mandolin, B3, Banjo, Lap Steele, Dobro,
Bass, Casaquinho and Melodica. He has played with Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories, Dweezil Zappa, Peter
Stuart, Ejectrode, the Push Stars, James Katz, Tracy Bonham, Red Letter, Antigone Rising, Ari Hest,
Cantinero, Ina May Wool and in 2003 toured with the boys of Matchbox Twenty where he was dubbed "the
newest member of the traveling circus."
This vocalist and self proclaimed "sound junky" admits to struggles with the writing of lyrics. However he has
described his song writing as a rock, pop, songwritery or folk type of music.
Raised on classical music he sites not only Mozart as his favorite composer, but also the impressionist
DeBussy and Chopin.
Under the influence of the Beatles and jazz he notes Led Zeppelin, XTC, Tom Petty and Jellyfish as a few of
his favorites. While performing with Matchbox Twenty he was able to play Madison Square Garden, a place
where he says he used to watch Rush, Yes & AC/DC perform. Playing MSG was a dream come true for this
native New Yorker.
Not only an incredibly sweet and humble man I believe Matt to be a kid at heart. During the Matchbox Twenty
tour I caught up to him riding his scooter to a safe distance where he could eat a handful of Tootsie Rolls he
had recently snagged.
He would love to one day take the stage with Paul McCartney, XTC, Fiona Apple and Aimee Mann. In my
opinion hes headed in the right direction. The opportunities for Matt are endless. He
auditioned to play with Five for Fighting however being asked to play with both Rob Thomas and Paul
Doucette on their solo projects kept him pretty busy. He helped on the track Movie Stars with Kyle Cook
whom is producing the band Virgin Millionaires. In July 2006 Matt was on tour with Rob Thomas as not only the
keyboard and guitarist, but as the Band Director!!
Im sure if a 3 years ago you had told Matt he would have his own fan following he may not have believed
you. Even now we continue to wow him with all the fan appreciation. Never one to disappoint a fan he takes
the time to talk with us, both in person and via email. At shows he makes himself available for autographs
and pictures. He will also take the time to just "chat" with us fans after a show. He spent a long and
entertaining, full of computer problems, almost 3 hours chatting with us fans. Something not too many
artists still have the time to do. Lucky for us he was not deterred and came back to participate in two other
chats.
If you have the chance to meet Matt while he is on tour, take it you wont be sorry! You will walk away from
the experience a fan of
Mr. Beck, I guarantee it!
Thanks a million Matt for joining our ministry of Blues. It's all about peace, love, understanding, and GROOVE! Hope to perform for you sometime. Enjoyed your tunes. Wishing you the very best in Blues and life! -Big Daddy