Ask Matt Wilson

Mike Schwartz · September-26th-2004, 07:52 PM

Let me add my wishes to the 40th BD wishes!
Played from the new Palmetto CD on the weekly broadcast.

With antics like Angelo DeAngelo bouncing around the stage like a rock guitarist, and quietly switching to a Salvation Army/Fleamarket sax to fake on stage instrument destruction, and the group breaking out into song from time to time...would you consider yourself the 21st century small group Spike Jones?;-))

Matt Wilson · September-27th-2004, 10:52 AM

mike,

thanks for playing the new cd, I am darn proud of the sonic party, Wake Up! (to what's happening) i hope to do an interview about it with you on Halloween. I will be in Sf w/ dena derose. Palmetto rules!

well, as far as spike jones comparison, what is wrong with folks having a good time?
i would never use humor to cover up less than stellar musicianship.
andrew, jeff and yosuke are amazing musicians who just happen to enjoy enhancing the festivities with extra curricular activity. i encourage it.
if it is natural it should be there. if it is contrived, the same goes for the music, well....

I have heard that spike's band was often under a ruling hand from spike who did not tolerate any mistakes. i am not that way, but Mike i am tough!
do not cross me man, i can go postal in a second!(sorry kind postal employees everywhere!) as a matter of fact, i am currently enrolled in the Berklee's "anger management for the jazz combo leader" taught over the internet. i take it along with "anger management,your computer and the internet". ironic right?

so, if it spreads some love and allows us to reach folks with some music they may have never experienced, we'll continue the insanity! we need audiences!

take care,
Matt
ps.anyone have any old saxophones they are willing to donate for our cause?

jazzy mary · September-27th-2004, 10:53 AM

Oh yes, Matt's anger is legendary!

Captain Hate · September-27th-2004, 12:39 PM

Happy birthday Matt!! You gonna play Cleveland again? If so, don't make it on a Sunday night so I can stay for the WHOLE SHOW!!!

james harrigan · September-27th-2004, 02:21 PM

speaking of Matt and JC and parties, I've got the following gig at Barbes loaded into my Palm Pilot:

Sun 10/10 A Celebration of THELONIOUS MONK's Birthday with SHUFFLE BOIL- Shuffle Boil plays some of monk's lesser-known compositions in a triple-birthday tribute to the great french hornist julius watkins, drummer ed blackwell, and the master himself thelonious sphere monk, all born on the same day. with michael attias: saxophones mark taylor: french horn; chris lightcap: bass; matt wilson: drums.9:00pm $8

Mike Schwartz · September-27th-2004, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Wilson

mike,

thanks for playing the new cd, I am darn proud of the sonic party, Wake Up! (to what's happening) i hope to do an interview about it with you on Halloween. I will be in Sf w/ dena derose. Palmetto rules!

well, as far as spike jones comparison, what is wrong with folks having a good time?
i would never use humor to cover up less than stellar musicianship.
andrew, jeff and yosuke are amazing musicians who just happen to enjoy enhancing the festivities with extra curricular activity. i encourage it.
if it is natural it should be there. if it is contrived, the same goes for the music, well....

I have heard that spike's band was often under a ruling hand from spike who did not tolerate any mistakes. i am not that way, but Mike i am tough!
do not cross me man, i can go postal in a second!(sorry kind postal employees everywhere!) as a matter of fact, i am currently enrolled in the Berklee's "anger management for the jazz combo leader" taught over the internet. i take it along with "anger management,your computer and the internet". ironic right?

so, if it spreads some love and allows us to reach folks with some music they may have never experienced, we'll continue the insanity! we need audiences!

take care,
Matt
ps.anyone have any old saxophones they are willing to donate for our cause?

Please don't misunderstand....I'm old enough to remember B&W TV seeing Spike and crew as well as archived tapes of them and such.

I saw you and the quartet + Joel Frahm thrill, shock & amaze a packed room at IAJE, many of whom were music students. They were alternately delighted with the music, and seriously cracking up with the other stuff. When the sax 'slaughter' began; disbelief from a bunch of would be musicians imagining the horror of the thousands of hard earned dollar$ Mommy & Daddy spent on all thoe insrtuments and lessons etc....

There's NOTHING wrong with brightening the jazz bandstand, in fact it's sorely needed... and fun is a 3, not a 4 letter word;-)

Just wanted to get the Matt thread off to a roaring start!

Matt Wilson · September-28th-2004, 09:42 AM

mike,

i appreciate you asking me about the shenanigans of the mwq. i hope that i did make you feel uncomfortable with my sarcasm. i knew you would understand.

we laugh, we cry. if these emotions arise from the music. woooooo hooooooo!!

have a great day!!
M@
ps. the offer still stands for the donated saxophones!

Tom Storer · September-28th-2004, 10:12 AM

So, Matt, when's the next European tour? Don't forget Paris!

jazzy mary · September-29th-2004, 01:41 PM

Matt, sorry I couldn't go to your b-day party. I'm sure it was a gas!! Speaking of over 40 parent thing, I had to go to an arts meeting at my younger daughter's school for the drama dept. It was great!

I hope I can catch you next time you're in town! BTW, my daughter is taking drum lessons from Robby Fitzgerald--you may know him. He is truly *the* nicest guy on earth!!

Matt Wilson · September-30th-2004, 12:30 PM

greetings,

thanks for the inquiries.

Tom, i hope to be in Paris with one of my sonic units soon. i just played there in may for a couple smashing nights with the wonderful Bill Mays Trio ( with Martin Wind) at the Duc. Was through on the train a few times in march w/ dewey but no concert there.

Captain, sorry about the late night in Cleveland. Isn't Dena just amazing? We did her new cd last weekend for MaxJazz (also with Martin Wind.)
Thanks to all that attended the birthday bash. it was quite the wild affair. I was moved when when my band and colleagues presented me with a new digital video cam. Ours recently bit the dust, so look for Wilson family movies and gig highlights on www.mattwilsonjazz.com.
sPECIAL THANKS TO palmetto records, the mwq. all of the guests who sat in and to selby, seth and everyone at the jazz standard.

Please everyone say a prayer for the great Jimmy Lovelace. He is a towering legend of groove diagnosed w/ pancreatic cancer. please go to www.smallsrecords.com/helplovelace.htm to find out where you can send donations etc.

Everyone have a nice day,
Matt

Lois Gilbert · September-30th-2004, 11:32 PM

Hi Matt

You make some people look forward and some people reminice (sp) - but when I turned 40 there were no digital video cams (hint hint Feb 18)

Re: Jimmy Lovelace - we've been trying to helping Jimmy at JC here ever since we heard he had pancreatic cancer. St. Peter's benefit was a beautiful turnout and I hope people go to the link for smalls. We also posted it in the news section.

Matt - I have a question for you - do you think getting awards like drummer of the year from the Jazz Journalists Association helps you in terms of your career. Do you utilize it in getting gigs. I'm especially curious given that there is such a debate going on in the news section about the Monk Competition...

Best Lois

Cozem · October-4th-2004, 11:08 AM

Hi Matt,

I just wanted to thank you for hosting the clinic in Buffalo this past weekend.. I do regret not volunteering to come up on stage and get more involved with the lesson..
The show was spectacular.. I really enjoyed being able to brows the gallery during the intermission.. Just an all around great night..
Can't wait until you return. And thanks for the John Hancock on my new "Humidity" CD. Jammin.

Joe from Buffalo

Matt Wilson · October-5th-2004, 09:30 AM

greetings to the last few inquiries!

first of all, there sure are alot of nice folks who dig the made up music in buffalo. bruce eaton and everyone at the albright-knox museum are gems.
we sure had fun.

also, the hampton inn played great music in the lobby. we heard thermo by the messengers, miles later explorations, coltrane, and other prize recordings . not your normal hotel lobby sonic fare. wow. we were impressed!
joe, you sounded great at the clinic! i hope to get back there soon, beautiful buildings there also in buffalo. a grand louis sullivan downtown.
may i suggest that buffalo needs a culinary connection. perhaps someone up there should come up with a unique recipe for chicken wings. could really put you guys on the map!

Lois, i feel that awards can open up possibilities. it sure is flattering to be recognized but sometimes uncomfortable to flaunt them to lure employment.
i think it can be effective w/ collegiate promoter and arts joints, though they usually have an idea of what you are about anyway. i have an embroidered awards vest that i occassionally don when i go out to dinner w/ my lovely wife out here on the island. helps me get a better table and extra bread.
( that was a joke folks, it does not help w/ the bread).)

okay, well off to another chapter of my vida loca.
everyone have a nice day and enjoy the autumnal weather.

also make sure you are registered to vote!
M@

bigtiny · October-17th-2004, 05:27 PM

Matt,

Just joined this forum and spotted the questions for you....I just thought I'd ask..."how's it going" ? =:-)

bigtiny (k. hedger)

Matt Wilson · October-17th-2004, 05:53 PM

keith,
long time trumpet dude.

wow, we had fun back in beantown hitting with mr. kohlhase.
a great keith story for you jazz cornerers/
the charlie kohlhase quintet was scheduled to do a live radio show on wers. the trumpet player "cancelled" ....on charlie the evening before.
folks, keith came into a radio show, not knowing any of us, and proceeded to rule on material that was very band oriented.
wow, you were inspiring. you also played with steve norton and curt newton in a cool band right?

wow, i hope we run into each other and have a chance to get in the sandbox.

are you still in the sunshine state?

M@

bigtiny · October-17th-2004, 06:40 PM

No, I'm back in Boston...been here almost five years. We'll have to do something sometime....I've been wanting to do something with Dennis Irwin too....his brother was in my band in Florida....small world.

Anyway....please stay in touch....

bigtiny@mac.com

Vince Kargatis · October-17th-2004, 07:10 PM

About Keith Hedger (bigtiny)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Wilson

you also played with steve norton and curt newton in a cool band right?

Yeah, Debris, a very cool (sadly defunct) band!

Yo Keith!

bigtiny · October-17th-2004, 11:53 PM

Hey Vince,

Long time ....

See the Prince tour?

keith

Erik Lund · October-18th-2004, 12:10 AM

Hi Matt - just wanted to say "hi" and welcome you to the board.

We've met a few times. I'm friends with Travis Laplante - (you see that kid down in the big city?) I also got you to sign my big bad 24" Constantinople (along with a ton of other peoples') and everyone who sees the signatures all agree yours' with the face is fuckin' rad.

Anyway - take it easy man!

bigtiny · October-21st-2004, 01:12 PM

Matt,

If you see this, please send me your contact info
(phone, address, email, cell, fax, birth certificate, Army discharge, passport, grandmother's maiden name, etc. etc.)

keith

bigtiny@mac.com

Mike Schwartz · November-7th-2004, 10:49 AM

M@

Thanks for being a terrrific guest on the weekly broadcast last week!

JazzJunkie · November-11th-2004, 10:13 AM

Congrats Matt!

Jazz Week Chart 11/11/2004

jazzy mary · November-11th-2004, 10:55 AM

Congrats, Matty!!

Matt Wilson · November-11th-2004, 11:03 AM

Thanks Mary and thanks to everyone out there in radioland!!
also, Mike Schwartz sure can do an interview!

That band will be out and about throughout the US and Europe in 2005.
right now.
feb. 9 scullers boston
feb 10-13-jazz standard NYC
feb. 24- march 6- midwest tour
march 12 rootabaga jazz fest 25th anniversary galesburg, illinois.(hometown zone)
april 13-16 jazz bakery los angeles
april 17 San Francisco Jazz Fest
june- july canada and europe

also many dates with mwq throughout 2005 check my website.

Have a great day!
M@

jazzy mary · November-11th-2004, 11:05 AM

Thanks for posting that, sweetie! Will this be the Art&Crafts band at the JS in Feb.? I'll try my very best to come out for that!

Matt Wilson · November-11th-2004, 02:13 PM

mary,

mercy, actually found time to come to jazz corner twice in one day then twice a week.
YES, those dates listed are for the arts and crafts band,
terell stafford, larry goldings and dennis irwin except for the midwest tour where the great Ron Miles from the mile high city will be the trumpet meister.
also , mark your calendar, if you have one for '06 for an Arts and Crafts gig at Zankel hall Feb. 8 2006. i hope you all are free for that night!
i hope to either have a fall gig at either at the vanguard or the new dizzy's coca cola room at lincoln center.

mwq has a kansas , oklahoma texas tour jan. 31- feb. 5th and up to canada in march. we are out in seattle next week.

it is fun to have these two great bands out playing...as long as i can afford it! we all are so busy it is miracle when the dates line -up!

have a great day, gorgeous outside, wow, i love autumn.
there is a song for my cabaret act there somewhere.

M@

is feinsteins in the future?

james harrigan · November-18th-2004, 11:38 AM

if you guys want to get the fright of your life, check out this website.

jazzy mary · November-18th-2004, 11:42 AM

James, that is hysterical!!

Matt, THERE IS a song for your cabaret act already, it's called "Autumn in New York"!

Mike Schwartz · November-18th-2004, 04:20 PM

Really looking forward to Denny Zeitlin Trio at Yoshi's, knowing in advance that it will be outstanding!

Will make every effort to come say hello and put faces behind our conversation...MS

james harrigan · December-23rd-2004, 11:56 AM

hey Matt, how do you feel about making Slate's Top 10 of the year list? Here is what Fred Kaplan said about Wake Up!:

Matt Wilson, a drummer who has the rare ability to play all kinds of music with all kinds of musicians, isn't as well-known as he should be. Maybe he's too modest. Case in point: Wake Up! Here's an album led by a drummer, yet it features no long, loud drum solos. Still, this is clearly a Matt Wilson production; the signposts are the music's playful swing and the ensemble's casual confidence. That said, the star here is trumpeter Terell Stafford, who blows with a sterling tone, restrained passion, and a brilliant instinct for knowing when to lay back behind the rhythm and when to catch up.