blog http://www.mattwilsonjazz.com/index.php/blog/index/ en matt@mattwilsonjazz.com Copyright 2009 2009-06-22T05:26:41-05:00 Fun Sheet! http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/fun_sheet/ http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/fun_sheet/ Leave a Mark!  Download the Fun Sheet!

]]> Blogging, News, SeeDees! 2009-06-22T05:26:41-05:00 Europe June 2009 http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/europe_june_2009/ http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/europe_june_2009/ While in Europe this week, Matt sent his thoughts and pics back to home base...these are the stories…
In Austria with Marty Ehrlich - Ray Anderson quartet w/Brad Jones. 


Greetings from 48G

]]> Blogging 2009-06-20T16:33:23-05:00 blog feb13 http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/blog_feb13/ http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/blog_feb13/ Well been having a lot of fun. On the gig front had a wonderful weekend in Canada w/ bassist John Geggie and Pianist Nancy Walker both amazing musicians that love to surf the sonic flow. We really summoned the spirits in Ottawa and Kingston. ( a beautiful town w/ an incredible eatery Chez Pig). We also did a nice workshop at the National Arts Center. I love our northern neighbors. But man it was COLD!! John also brought me to Potsdam U for a day or workshops with some very groovy students.

]]> Blogging 2009-02-13T19:04:51-05:00 early jan09 http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/early_jan09/ http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/early_jan09/ HEY HEY HEY!
just back from some groovy activities.
I was in Denver where i recorded with an amazing big band assembled by composer saxophonist Fred Hess. We swung, we rocked, we soothed, we collided, we played free, we played some Anthony Braxton and Greensleeves!I think the band was stellar ( some of he cats- Ron Miles, ken filiano, Brad Goode, John Gunther, Al Hood, heck each and every darn one of them was not afraid to jump in the pool! I think it perhaps could be the only big band recording that covers this wide of range of music. ( I played a vacuum cleaner on a selection, a dust devil to be exact!) We also played a night at the fine club Dazzles. This club and the audience both facilitate the vibe happening because of the love for creative music they convey. Bravo to this club! Heard some fine musicians at their jam session too. Denver is cool!
Then from Denver ( Via Detroit- Tokyo- Bangkok) to play the first ever Thailand Jazz Conference with Ron Miles Quartet w/ Reginald Veal and Eric Gunnison at Manidol University outside of Bangkok.It was my second time to Thailand in the last few months, I was there w/ the John Scofield/Joe Lovano Quartet in October.  We had a blast! The music, obviously with these dudes , was incredible. We all did workshops and heard some happening young players. Had some fine cuisine and avoided any encounters with 3-5 foot long monitor lizards...YIKES! Look for some pics up from this memorable event.
BTW, the Thai people are so friendly and accommodating and they love jazz and can REALLY play it. ( their beloved King plays alto!)
Talk about patriotism, America’s art from is so respected around the world. I am proud of what this music represents. The message of this music is so powerful and brings so much to joy to folks everywhere.
This is what world leaders need to realize. No More GUNS, more DRUMS! ( and RIDE CYMBALS)
Take Care,
M@

]]> Blogging 2009-01-13T18:32:21-05:00 A Sonic Gift for you! http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/a_sonic_gift_for_you/ http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/a_sonic_gift_for_you/ Hey! Hey! Hey! Happy New Year!

Here is a sonic gift, albeit just a teaser sampler, of some of the tunes from the new Palmetto MWQ cd, That’s Gonna Leave a Mark, which will be released this summer!

I believe this recording really captures the spirit of this GREAT band. We just went for it, allowing what was supposed to happen to happen! This band has been together a long time and it shows. I am looking forward to hitting the road with these guys!

]]> Blogging, News, SeeDees! 2009-01-07T06:32:31-05:00 dec9mwq http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/dec9mwq/ http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/dec9mwq/ BIG NEWS!! It was quite a thrill to record a new cd with the infamous Matt Wilson Quartet (The MWQ) in early September for a summer 2009 release on Palmetto Records. We are going to call this gem THAT’S GONNA LEAVE A MARK! (well I think it is a gem!)
We play a wide range of material that exemplifies what this band does best: align, collide, trust, love, rock, soothe and have whole lotta fun allowing what was supposed to happen to happen!
We do tunes by all of us in the band along with the John Lewis’classic “Two bass Hit” and the 70’s anthem by War “why can’t we be friends” where we bring back the fabulous SWAYETTES along w/ other vocal guests.
The MWQ is jeff lederer- tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone and clarinet,
Chris Lightcap on the bass, myself on drums and our healthy, and C free, wonderboy of the alto and bass clarinet Andrew D’Angelo.  We celebrate his miraculous recovery with this CD. 
Look for some sound teasers here soon. Look for us on tour throughout 2009 and 2010 around the world.
Want us for a concert or workshop at your school? ( we have big band charts and everything!) contact our hard at work agents at AMI.

Write dan@theamiagency.com and proclaim “ WE WANT THE MWQ and we want them NOW!”

]]> Blogging 2008-12-09T14:06:19-05:00 craviotto dec. 2008 http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/craviotto_dec_2008/ http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/craviotto_dec_2008/ You know I am now playing Craviotto Drums which I believe are amazing!
Johnny Craviotto is a true craftsman and these beauties really sing!
Check out this you tube clip of my workshop at the Chicago Vintage Drum Show to hear these lovely instruments.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrq6tkb-G7w
Check out http://www.craviottodrums.com
Click here to see the artists that play these drums ( made with love!)
http://www.craviottodrums.com/artists.php

]]> Blogging 2008-12-05T21:20:41-05:00 news dec.2008 http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/news_dec2008/ http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/news_dec2008/ Happy Holidays look for updates by Monday dec. 8th
it has been a fun fall and i want to fill you in about all that has been going on!
Check out this video of some great music at the Montreal Jazz festival w/ Pat Metheny. the late Dewey Redman and John Menegon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D7xXuiyO4Y&feature=related

]]> Blogging, News 2008-12-05T20:59:30-05:00 Arts and Crafts You Tube Videos http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/arts_and_crafts_you_tube_videos/ http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/arts_and_crafts_you_tube_videos/ Check out some of these groovy videos of Arts & Crafts at the 2007 Elmhurst Jazz Festival.

Gary, Terell and Dennis were rockin’! 

The Scenic Route

]]> Blogging 2007-11-01T17:14:00-05:00 Fall 2007 http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/fall_2007/ http://mattwilsonjazz.com/blog/article/fall_2007/ ARTS AND CRAFTS WAS JUST NOMINATED AS SMALL GROUP OF THE YEAR BY THE JAZZ JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION ALONG WITH THE DAVE DOUGLAS QUINTET, ORNETTE COLEMAN QUARTET, THE SF JAZZ COLLECTIVE AND THE KEN VANDEMARK 5.  NICE COMPANY TO BE IN FOR SURE! WOO! HOO!

In addition, Terell Stafford was nominated for trumpeter of the year and Gary Versace for organist of the year. Matt was also nominated (he is proud and embarrassed) for drummer of the year along with his favorite drummers, Roy Haynes, Paul Motian, Billy Hart and John “We Share Versace” Hollenbeck.  Even though he was not nominated, Dennis ‘d big head’ Irwin, in our hearts, is bassist of the year… every year! Look for a feature in Downbeat on Dennis that I am writing later in 2007!

]]> Blogging 2007-09-02T04:22:00-05:00