Praised by the New York Times for his “outrageous fiddling,” Matthew Szemela is a violinist who crosses musical genres with ease. In the classical realm, he has performed as soloist, chamber and orchestral musician in several renowned concert halls in NYC (Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully, Merkin Recital Hall) and abroad (Belgium, Luxembourg, Australia, Italy).
Branching away from the classical stage, Matthew tours extensively with ELEW, a band headed by the legendary "rockjazz" pianist Eric Lewis. He can be heard on the solo project "¿Cómo Te Llama?" from Albert Hammond, Jr. (The Strokes). He is also a founding member of the violin-oboe-piano trio Initial Ascent, a group which specializes in free and modal improvisation. In September 2007 Matthew was the featured “fiddler” in the Gateway Playhouse’s production of Urban Cowboy, earning high praise from audiences and the New York Times alike. He returned to this role recently with the West Virginia Public Theater in late July 2008.
In the summer of 2006, Matthew served as concertmaster of the Hustla Symphony Orchestra for Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt 10th Anniversary Concert at Radio City Music Hall (NYC), collaborating with ?uestlove and the Illadelphonics, Beyonce, Foxxy Brown, Pain in Da Ass, Memphis Bleek and Sauce Money. Matthew has also had the pleasure of collaborating with Savion Glover for select performances of “Classical Savion,” often as soloist. Further collaborations include performances with Sting, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, Grammy Award winning jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson, the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, DBR & THE MISSION, guitarist Vernon Reid of Living Colour, Susan Sarandon, and Olivia Newton John.
Matthew is a fervent proponent of violin jazz, ranging from the hot jazz of the late 19th/early 20th century to the jazz rock fusion of the 1970’s and beyond. He has appeared in concert with Dan Levinson and his Canary Cottage Dance Orchestra, The Manhattan Ragtime Orchestra, Gregory Moore and his Cosmopolitan Orchestra, Barbara Rosene and Her New Yorkers, and Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks. Matthew is featured on the Stomp Off Records releases “Steppin Around” (Canary Cottage Dance Orchestra) and “It Was Only A Sun Shower” (Barbara Rosene and her New Yorkers). Matthew is a proud member of The Mahavishnu Project, the official repertory ensemble for the music of John McLaughlin and his contemporaries.
In the fall of 2007 Matthew portrayed an Irish rock violinist in the Warner Brothers film August Rush, working with famed music producer Phil Ramone. This film was released on DVD on March 11, 2008. TV appearances include Good Morning America (performing with Josh Groban), The View (with Def Jam recording artist Rihanna), and various morning shows across the nation (as a member of DBR & THE MISSION).
A native of Maine, Matthew currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.
I love those tracks you have up there, they are absolutely beautiful. You are one in a million, for sure. Congrats on all your success. Drop me a line if you're ever in Maine. Hugs<3
