Matt Wilson Quartet

Bio.

The American jazz drummer Matt Wilson was born in Knoxville, Illinois on September 27, 1964.  He studied percussion at Wichita State University and he moved to New York City in 1992.  He is one of todays most celebrated jazz artists.

Matt is universally recognized for his musical and melodic drumming style as well as being a gifted composer, bandleader, producer, and teaching artist. Matt’s positive energy, sense of humor and ability to explore a broad range of musical settings keeps him in constant demand.  In addition, Wilson’s dedication to jazz has helped establish him as a beloved world ambassador for the music, on and off the bandstand.

Wilson leads the Matt Wilson Quartet, Arts and Crafts, Christmas Tree-O, the Carl Sandburg Project and “Matt Wilson’s Big Happy Family” a 13 musicians band with most of his friends of his referred bands.  Matt is integral part of bands led by Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Charlie Haden, Lee Konitz, Bob Stewart, Denny Zeitlin, Ron Miles, Marty Ehrlich, Ted Nash, Jane Ira Bloom and Dena DeRose among others.  He has performed with many legends of music including Cecil McBee, Herbie Hancock, Dewey Redman, Andrew Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, Elvis Costello, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, John Zorn, Marshall Allen, Wynton Marsalis, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell and Hank Jones.  Wilson has appeared on 250 CDs as a sideman and has released 9 as a leader for Palmetto Records as well as co-leading 5 additional releases.

Grammy nominee Matt Wilson was featured on the covers of both Downbeat and JazzTimes magazines in November 2009 and was for 5 consecutive years voted #1 Rising Star Drummer in the Downbeat Critic’s Poll.  The readers of JazzTimes recently chose him as one of the top 4 drummers in the 2010 Readers Poll.  In 2003, he was voted Drummer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association.

From: http://www.mattwilsonjazz.com/about/bio