Biography

Since moving to Astoria Queens in 2014, Matthew has maintained an active freelance career in the NYC region. His playing has included various work on Broadway as well as performances at New York Fashion Week, Birdland, Minton’s Playhouse, Rockwood Music Hall, and City Winery NYC, among others in various club and concert-hall settings. Prior to relocating to the East Coast, past performances have included Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Vienne Jazz Festival, and Umbria Jazz Festival.  Influences include Uan Rasey, Wayne Bergeron, Bernie Glow, Conrad Gozzo, Eugene “Snooky” Young, Jerry Hey, Bobby Shew, Clark Terry, Roy Hargrove, Clifford Brown, and among others.

Matthew was born in Paxton Massachusetts and at the age of 10 his family moved to South Texas where he soon picked up the trumpet in the school band.  A love for the instrument developed quickly and he continued annoying his family by practicing constantly at home throughout his years in Junior High and High School.  In the summer before his senior year, and with the encouragement of his parents, he attended a week-long jazz trumpet workshop at the acclaimed University of North Texas with special guest performer and educator Bobby Shew.

After High School, Matthew enrolled at the University of North Texas, where he would complete his Bachelors and Masters degree in Jazz Trumpet Performance.  While in the North Texas region, he maintained a busy freelance schedule playing for various big bands, musical theater productions, as well as classical and church groups.  During his time at UNT, he spent many years playing in the world-renowned Two O’clock and One O’clock Lab Bands. During those years the bands obtained two Grammy nominations for the One O’Clock Lab Band recording “Lab 2009”, various awards in Downbeat Magazine, toured some of the biggest jazz festival stages in Europe, and backed up jazz icon Dave Brubeck with his quartet.  In summer 2005, Matthew was also fortunate to be a part of the Disney All-American College Band in Anaheim CA. 

After finishing his Master’s Degree in 2009, Matthew joined Princess Cruise Lines as a trumpet player in a house orchestra.  He spent the next 5 years as a sideman and eventually Music Director on various ships in the fleet, traveling the world, performing for thousands of people in a wide variety of musical settings. Outside of performance and Musical Director responsibilities, he honed his skill for writing and arranging charts for numerous performers, as well as horn charts for pop acts, something he still continues to this day.

Be sure to check the Calendar page for any upcoming public performances, as well as social media for the most recent updates! Visit the Contact page for any performance, teaching, or writing/arranging inquiries.