On these particular tunes, MattyD plays everything except drums and bass on "Boogaloop," which are played by Pete McNeal and Joe Zimmerman, respectively. "Felious Skunk " and "Teddy Bear" are from a live recording of the Concert 9net a few years back. "Montreux" is a live recording with Fabiano Nascimento on Guitar and Davey Chegwidden on percussion.
Influences
Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Lester Young, Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Joe Henderson, Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Dewey Redman, Sonny Stitt, Dexter Gordon, Rahsan Roland Kirk, Horace Silver, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Baden Powell, Joe Lovano, Herbie Hancock, George Garzone, Jan Garbarek, Jobim, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Maceo Parker, Parliament/Funkadelic, Keith Jarret, Bach, Ravel, Chopin, Shostakovich, Stravinsky, Debussy, Beethoven, Radiohead, Bossa in general, Soul Jazz in general, anything on Blue Note, Drum N' Bass, Zuco 103, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Astor Piazzolla, Steel Pulse, Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn, Fela Kuti, Olatunji, The Beatles, Hendrix, Zen Shakuhachi, Tibetan Tantric Choirs, Indian classical music, Hermeto Pascoal, Gilberto Gil, Yousou N'Dour, Joni Mtchell, Nick Drake, Beck, The English Beat, Tom Waits, Cat Stevens, Neal Young, Bjork, Me'Shell Ndege'ocello, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Ramana Maharshi, Chogyam Trungpa, Gangaji, Ken Wilber, Suzuki Roshi, Pema Chodron, Obatala, Chango, Oshun, Yemaya, all my teachers, all the bands I've ever played in, current and ex-lovers, my favorite restaurants, pets, local flora and fauna, my eratic moodswings, etc.
Sounds Like
Jobim, Monk, and Roland Kirk playing frisbee on the moon.
My name is Matthew DeMerritt, but most of my friends call me MattyD. I've played with dozens of bands over the years, including two years on the road with Macy Gray, two more years in Greg Kurstin's band "Action Figure Party," and a year in Italy recording and playing with Quintetto X, a project with DJ/producer Nicola Conte and singer Rosalia DeSouza. I also helped found "Dakah," the hip hop orchestra led by Geoff Gallegos(Double G). Currently I play in the Concert 9net, a group featuring original compositions as well as some adaptations of Mingus, Satie, and Stravinsky, and the Rhythm Roots Allstars, a band which explores groove music from around the world and has backed hip hop luminaries Ghostface Killah, Talib Kwali, Redman, Big Daddy Kane, De La Soul, Rakim, and Brother Ali. I also support singers Jim Bianco and Nailah on a regular basis, and have made appearances with singers Nikka Costa and Vassy, as well as filling out the ranks of Breakestra, Orgone, and the Greasy Beats from time to time. I've also been a "session cat," recording with Macy Gray, George Clinton, Eels, Barenaked Ladies, Nine Inch Nails, Everlast, Ghostface Killah, Ben Lee, Damon Aaron, The Jade Vincent Experiment, The Breakestra, Spanky Wilson and the Quantic Soul Orchestra, Charlotte Gainsborg, and many others. In addition to tenor saxophone, I play flute, keyboards, percussion, and my new favorite instrument, the melodica!
Here's the latest from the Jim Bianco Band.
Here's a movie demo I did the music for and appeared in.
My flute playing can also be heard on this educational video!
Yo Matty, Just thinking about my bro and would really love to catch up its been too long. I really am moved by your playing you a truly a gift for us... Peace-
Hi, Matt How are you???? I am very well!!!!!! I am very happy see you in this virtual world. I hope see you soon and to play together again. All the best!!!! Ettore
Hi Matt,come stai? I also met Chris on myspace;what a nice surprise,what a pleasure; when you're coming in Europe? I'm lookin' forward to see you and to play with you again! peace!
Hey Matt, really enjoyed your playing that impromptu evening...gotta do it again sometime. Just let us know if you'll be in town ahead time if you can spare the time. Cheers!
