Matt Wilson - Drums
Terell Stafford - trumpet
Gary Versace - piano, hammond organ, accordion
Martin Wind - bass
Matt Wilson Quartet
Featuring:
Matt Wilson - Drums
Andrew D'Angelo - alto saxophone, bass clarinet
Jeff Lederer - tenor saxophone, clarinet
Yosuke Inoue - acoustic and electric bass
Influences
My Children, Don Knotts, Pat Somerall, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, Adam West, Mel Brooks, Johnny Mercer, Willie Mays, Michael Jordan, Daniel Bolud, Larry David, Timbaland,
Sounds Like
A 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass or a 1929 McCormick Deering- 10-20 tractor with Steel Lug Wheels.
Drummer, composer, bandleader, educator and Palmetto
recording artist Matt Wilson possesses the ability to connect with
people. As a sideman to such jazz notables as Charlie Haden, Dewey Redman and Lee Konitz among many others, his open mind and joyful spirit lifts the bandstand. As a bandleader, his infectious creative spirit allows his band and the audience to share in the excitement of the moment. He is not afraid to challenge, entertain and have fun! (You'll have fun too!) Since moving to New York in 1992, Wilson has established himself as one of the most imaginative jazz artists of his generation. He has performed on over 160 recordings and has toured throughout the world. He was voted Jazz Drummer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association in 2003 and for the past three years has been voted ..1 Rising Star Drummer in the Downbeat International Critics Poll as well as prominent mentions in the Jazz Artist and Composer categories. Wilson is a clinician for Zildjian cymbals and sticks, Pearl drums and Remo drumheads. Check out www.mattwilsonjazz.com
and www.palmetto-records.com for more fun-filled information!
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In 1996 Matt started the Matt Wilson Quartet and his dream to have a working jazz band has been realized. Since that time they have delighted audiences throughout the world with our acclaimed recordings and exciting live performances. The guys in the band are not only extraordinary musicians but wonderful human beings who love to have a good time! They bring life to the music and make every performance memorable!
In their travels around the US, Europe and Australia, they have played many nights of thrilling music, made a lot of friends, shared delicious food and drink, and have seen some breathtaking sights. MWQ have also had the opportunity to expose thousands of students to improvisational music with our innovative educational workshops. They love interacting with the students and love to play MWQ plus big band charts. (They rock, the kids'll love em!)
This Matt Wilson Quartet is
dedicated to bringing the music to the people. They perform music that is not
afraid to challenge AND entertain. We have fun and so will you!
* * *
Matt formed Arts and Crafts in 2000 and since that
time the all- star ensemble has made two critically acclaimed recordings Arts
and Crafts (2001) and Wake Up! (To Whats Happening) (2004). Their
third Palmetto recording will be released in January 2007. The band was voted
one of top acoustic jazz groups in the 2005 Downbeat Critics Poll.
Touring throughout the US, the band has recently performed to enthusiastic
audiences at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony Hall and the Newport
and San Francisco jazz festivals as well as at numerous colleges, high schools
and jazz clubs. The band completed a European tour in March 2006 and was the
artists in residence at the Juneau Alaska Jazz and Classics festival in May
2006. Art and Crafts is also in demand for their inspirational educational
workshops that cover a wide range of subjects for all age groups.
* * *
Fun Facts:
1.) m@ has two different sizes feet . left 8 1/2 right 10 1/2
2.) m@ will eat just about anything except foods w/ orange peel flavor.
3.) m@ has lost band members in Wal-Mart
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THE
SCENIC ROUTE FEATURES TERELL STAFFORD ON TRUMPET AND DER FLUGELHORN, OUR NEW CRAFTER GARY VERSACE ON PIANO, ORGAN AND ACCORDION
AS WELL AS DENNIS “BIG HEAD D” IRWIN ON THE BASS AND CLARINET.
We also introduce THE SWAYETTES, AYANA DEL VALLE, ELIZABETH DOTSON-WESTPHALEN
AND KARLIE BRUCE ON VOCALS.RECORDED BY MATT “big daddee B” BALITSARIS.
TUNES BY MATT, ORNETTE, PAT METHENY, DONALD AYLER, BOBBY
HUTCHERSON, MONK AND JOHN LENNON!
YOU’LL DIG THE SCENIC ROUTE! YOU ALSO WILL BE “FEELING
THE SWAY’! THE INTERNATIONAL “YEAR OF” OFFICE IN BELGIUM HAS JUST DECLARED
2007 THE YEAR OF THE SWAY!
THE RECORDING IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF DEWEY REDMAN
WHO PASSED AWAY JUST DAYS BEFORE WE RECORDED. DEWEY WAS A MASTER MUSICIAN AND A
GEM OF A HUMAN BEING. HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST OPEN MINDED MUSICIANS I HAVE
ENCOUNTERED. HE WAS ALSO A REALLY CARING AND FUNNY MAN. I PLAYED WITH HIM FOR
ALMOST 12 YEARS AND I LOVED HIM DEARLY. I WROTE A NEW TUNE CALLED “IN TOUCH
WITH DEWEY” THAT IS ON THE NEW CD.
I hope you'll forgive a bit of shameless merchandising. My new CD is out. Still doin' the Jazz thing, but this is definitely not your father's organ trio!
CD Baby's got it; there are samples, links & digital downloads on my Myspace page.
Hey Matt, you've been conspicuously absent from Myspace, good to see you back. Very sorry to hear about Dennis Irwin, but happy to see that A & C is carrying on.
Wow you checked your myspace!! Thanks for being a friend. I saw your recently @ Le Moyne College when you came to vistit and perform some tunes of yours with the student. Much Love and Respect.
Matt, it was truly an honor working with you at Stanford this summer. You are a huge inspiration for me as a musician, and as a person overall. A buddy of mine taped our performance and I put it up on my page, so check it out if you get a chance. That was by far one of the most amazing musical experiences I've ever had! Anyways, take care and thanks for the ongoing ispiration! -Gilbert
Greetings from Times Square NYC Matt, many thanks for the Add-On! I've been playing your music with Dr. Denny Zeitlin on my daily morning radio program on KYOURADIO 1550 HammondCast Show. I had Denny on twice so far, which was a gas. I'd like to have you on sometime. I'm in the 802 book. Keep up the great work with your unique and creative approach to the drums Matt! Sincerely, Jon http://hammondcast. wordpress. com *Member AFM Local 802, Local 6 / ASCAP Publisher