Blog- September 2013

Blog- September 2013

“A Bigger Celebration” album available Tuesday!

Tomorrow’s the big day… it’s the release date of my tenth album A Bigger Celebration (September 17, 2013).  This CD features Jerry Bergonzi on tenor sax, Bruce Gertz on bass, Richie Barshay on drums, and special guest Mark Zaleski on alto and soprano saxes.  I’m the composer of all the tunes, and I also play electronic keyboards for the first time on two tracks.  I’m so excited…

The album is available on my website, and you can view the official YouTube trailer here.

I’m in New York right now starting graduate studies at Manhattan School of Music.  I’m living in the dorms and seeing the city sights.  Every single class that I’m taking is about jazz.  And I’ve already made lots of new friends so far.  In short, it’s been an incredible experience already, even though classes have only just started.  There are so many restaurants, jazz clubs, and things to do in America’s largest city.

Oh, and if you’re a musician in New York… let’s totally jam.

Again, here are my CD release tour dates.  Each of these gigs will be with a different quartet, so these concerts will all be different sounding.  It’s truly an honor to play with all of these greats of jazz.

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Wednesday, October 9 – 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM (2 shows).  Jazz Standard.  New York, NY.  116 East 27^th St.  (with Donny McCaslin on tenor sax, Hoo Kim on bass and Peter Retzlaff on drums)

Wednesday, October 16 – 7:30 PM.  Regattabar.  Cambridge, MA.  1 Bennett St.  (with Jerry Bergonzi on tenor sax, Bruce Gertz on bass, Richie Barshay on drums, and special guest Mark Zaleski on alto/soprano saxes.  This concert is with all the musicians from the album!)

Saturday, November 30 – 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM (2 shows).  Bohemian Caverns.  Washington, DC.  2001 Eleventh Street N.W. (with Marcus Strickland on tenor sax, James King on bass and Nasar Abadey on drums)

Saturday, December 7 – 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM (2 shows).  Chris’ Jazz Cafe.  Philadelphia, PA.  1421 Sansom St. (More details TBA)

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I’ll also be performing at Boston’s Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival on September 28 with the legendary Bobby Watson.  More info HERE.

So there’s lots of traveling ahead.  I’ll keep you posted about each new event!

See you soon,

Matt