Dan Matrazzo

Last updated

Dan Matrazzo
Born (1959-02-13) 13 February 1959 (age 64)
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Education Berklee College of Music
Known forKeyboard and piano, composer and producer

Dan Matrazzo, also known as "Dr. Dan Matrazzo" or simply "Dr. Dan," is an American keyboardist and pianist. He was a member and composer for Grammy winning blues artist Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. Matrazzo started playing the piano at the age of three in 1962 and performed classical recitals while growing up in Tokyo. His uncle was a well known big band leader and bassist for Japanese TV networks.

His album Timeless, which he recorded with Brown, was nominated for a Grammy Award. [1] Matrazzo's piano music can also be found on Brown's album Real Life. [2]

Matrazzo was the founder, composer and producer for the band Fiji Mariners. Matrazzo has also played shows and toured with James Cotton and Taj Mahal, and has appeared on stage with Russell Malone, Lew Soloff, Phish, Blues Traveller, John Scofield, Michael Brecker, Les Claypool, Gov’t Mule, Ween, Lowell Fulson, George Porter Jr., Stanton Moore, Morphine, The Allman Brothers, [3] Widespread Panic, [4] and others. [5] Dan's professional journey began in 1975 as a teenager playing at sold-out arenas with Japanese guitarist Char. [6] In 1981 Matrazzo recorded on the album Cloudland/Pink Cloud on VAP Records with Nobuki Yoshinaga, Masayoshi Kabe, Hisato "Char" Takenaka. [7] From there he went on touring the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East with Clarence Brown and numerous other musical outfits, including several appearances at all major European Jazz festivals.[ citation needed ]

In the 1980s and 1990s when Matrazzo was not touring he would work with the Atlanta-based group Life Force as educator and played concerts including the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics Northsea Jazz Festival. [8] [9]

In 1992 to 1994, Matrazzo and Char reunited with the band, the Psychedelix, and toured extensively in Japan and also staged concerts in Los Angeles and New York City. [10] Together they released an album "Live At NHK Hall" and other DVDs and performed on 20 March at the SHIBUYA Public Hall TOKYO.[ citation needed ]

In 1996 to 1995 Matrazzo performed with Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie, recording the tracks for his album Rendezvous With The Blues on Hammond B3. [11] He also recorded on Gregg Allman's album on Chrysalis Records in 1996.

His 2000 solo release Dan on the Moon, produced by David Z, was released by Terminus Records with Sam Sims on bass, Lil' John Roberts on drums, and Warren Haynes on guitar. [6] Dan on the Moon was considered by many to be the defining album of a new genre which jam fans immediately dubbed "Space Funk", [1] though it explored many styles of music from funk and blues, soul, progressive rock, and even classical piano.

From 2005 to 2011, Matrazzo focused mainly on traditional and post-bebop jazz music, but then began touring with The Looters, [12] who are also known for backing Blue Note Records' Kristina Train, Rosa King, and Saskia Laroo. [12] In 2015 Matrazzo and The Looters released an album on Home Grown Records. [13]

In 2013 Matrazzo reunited with John Scofield as well as Gov't Mule at the 25th annual Christmas Jam in Asheville, North Carolina. [14]

In 2015 Gov't Mule released the album "Sco-Mule" with Matrazzo on keyboards, John Scofield on guitar, and a host of other musicians including Jimmy Herring which was recorded at the Georgia Theatre and the Roxy in Atlanta. [13]

Matrazzo's music has been used by MTV for opening songs for a murder and mystery show. [15] Later in 2017, there were sessions with Corky Laing of Mountain and Chris Barron and guitarist Eric Schenkman of the Spin Doctors. [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Scofield</span> American jazz guitarist and composer (born 1951)

John Scofield is an American guitarist and composer whose music over a long career has blended jazz, jazz fusion, funk, blues, soul and rock. He first came to mainstream attention in the band of Miles Davis, and has toured and recorded with many prominent jazz artists, including saxophonists Eddie Harris, Dave Liebman, Joe Henderson and Joe Lovano; keyboardists George Duke, Joey DeFrancesco, Herbie Hancock, Larry Goldings and Robert Glasper; fellow guitarists Pat Metheny, John Abercrombie, Pat Martino and Bill Frisell; bassists Marc Johnson and Jaco Pastorius; and drummers Billy Cobham and Dennis Chambers. Outside the world of jazz, he has collaborated with Phil Lesh, Mavis Staples, John Mayer, Medeski Martin & Wood, and Gov't Mule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gov't Mule</span> American southern rock jam band

Gov't Mule is an American Southern rock jam band, formed in 1994 as a side project of the Allman Brothers Band by guitarist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody. Fans often refer to Gov't Mule simply as Mule.

<i>The Deep End, Volume 1</i> 2001 studio album by Govt Mule

The Deep End, Volume 1 is the fourth studio album by American rock band Gov't Mule. It was released on October 23, 2001, by ATO Records and Evangeline Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oteil Burbridge</span> American musician

Oteil Burbridge is an American multi-instrumentalist, specializing on the bass guitar, trained in playing jazz and classical music from an early age. He has achieved fame primarily on bass guitar during the resurgence of the Allman Brothers Band from 1997 through 2014, and as a founding member of the band Dead & Company. Burbridge was also a founding member of The Aquarium Rescue Unit and Tedeschi Trucks Band, with whom his brother Kofi Burbridge was the keyboardist and flautist. He has worked with other musicians including Bruce Hampton, Trey Anastasio, Page McConnell, Bill Kreutzmann and Derek Trucks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warren Haynes</span> American guitarist, singer and songwriter

Warren Haynes is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his work as longtime guitarist with the Allman Brothers Band and as founding member of the jam band Gov't Mule. Early in his career he was a guitarist for David Allan Coe and The Dickey Betts Band. Haynes also is known for his associations with the surviving members of the Grateful Dead, including touring with Phil Lesh and Friends and the Dead. In addition, Haynes founded and manages Evil Teen Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown</span> American musician

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown was an American singer and multi-instrumentalist from Louisiana. He won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album in 1983 for his album, Alright Again!.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Leavell</span> American musician

Charles Alfred Leavell is an American musician. A member of the Allman Brothers Band throughout their commercial zenith in the 1970s, he subsequently became a founding member of the band Sea Level. He has served as the principal touring keyboardist and musical director of the Rolling Stones since 1982. As a session musician, Leavell has performed on every Rolling Stones studio album released since 1983 with the exception of Bridges to Babylon (1997). He has also toured and recorded with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, David Gilmour, Gov't Mule and John Mayer.

The Jammy Award is an awards show for bands typically referred to as jam bands and other artists associated with live, improvisational music, created by Dean Budnick and Peter Shapiro. The Jammys are sponsored by Relix magazine, Jambands.com, and Shapiro. The Jammy Awards returned in 2008 to the WAMU Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, after taking a one year break.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gathering of the Vibes</span>

Gathering of the Vibes was an annual four-day music, camping and arts festival that celebrated the Grateful Dead and showcased a diverse variety of music. Over the course of the event, styles would often include funk, bluegrass, rock, jam band, jazz, reggae, R&B and folk music. Beginning in 1996, GOTV brought many bands to the New England area during the summer season. There existed two main stages which would alternate bands so that festival-goers could experience music all day and into the night. A short stroll down the beach was the "Green Vibes Stage", which showcased some of the Northeast's finest talent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allen Woody</span> American bass guitarist

Douglas Allen Woody was an American bass guitarist best known for his eight-year tenure in the Allman Brothers Band and as a co-founder of Gov't Mule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Holloway</span> American tenor saxophonist

Ronald Edward Holloway is an American tenor saxophonist. He is listed in the Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz where veteran jazz critic Ira Gitler described Holloway as a "Hard bear-down-hard-bopper who can blow authentic R&B and croon a ballad with warm, blue feeling."

Scott Billington is an American record producer, songwriter, record company executive and blues musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Krown</span> Musical artist

Joe Krown is an American keyboardist, based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Apart from being a solo artist, he is the full time member of Kenny Wayne Shepherd band. He plays New Orleans styled piano and also Hammond B3 organ.

Curated and presented by Grammy Award-winning vocalist-songwriter and revered guitarist Warren Haynes, the Christmas Jam is a one-of-a-kind music marathon. Since its inception in 1988, the concert has provided an opportunity for the performing artists, audience and the local community to give back during the holiday season. Over the past 18 years, Haynes - an Asheville native - has worked closely with the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Neel</span> Musical artist

Johnny Neel is an American vocalist, songwriter, and musician based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is best known for his songwriting, stage, and being a member of the Allman Brothers Band and the Dickey Betts Band.

Lockn' Festival, first known as Interlocken Music Festival, was an annual four-day music festival held at Oak Ridge Farm near Arrington in Nelson County, Virginia. The festival focused primarily on jam bands and other music improvisation acts. Its inaugural event took place September 5–8, 2013, drew nearly 25,000 fans and featured notable groups such as Furthur, Trey Anastasio Band, Gov't Mule, Widespread Panic featuring John Fogerty, The String Cheese Incident featuring Zac Brown, and The Black Crowes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Peach Music Festival</span>

The Peach Music Festival is a music festival started by the Allman Brothers Band and Live Nation Entertainment that has been held annually since 2012 at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain and Montage Mountain Ski Resort in Scranton, Pennsylvania. One exception was in 2020.

<i>Sco-Mule</i> 2015 live album by Govt Mule featuring John Scofield

Sco-Mule is a live album by the American rock band Gov't Mule, recorded at two 1999 shows in Atlanta, Georgia. It features the band's original members: guitarist Warren Haynes, bass guitarist Allen Woody, and drummer Matt Abts, along with jazz guitarist John Scofield and keyboardist Dan Matrazzo.

<i>No Looking Back</i> (Clarence Gatemouth Brown album) 1992 studio album by Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown

No Looking Back is an album by the American musician Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, released in 1992. Brown supported the album with a North American tour.

References

  1. 1 2 "Dr. Dan". Mbus.com. Archived from the original on 12 November 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  2. ↑ "Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Real Life Audio CD" . Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  3. ↑ "12th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS JAM". Abbdiscography.com. 21 December 2000. Archived from the original on 17 September 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  4. ↑ "Archive Podcast #45: For the week of 3/16/11". Widespreadpanic.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  5. ↑ "The Appalachian Online | Archives". Theapp.appstate.edu. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  6. 1 2 "The Smoky Mountain News". The Smoky Mountain News. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  7. ↑ "The Listener of Music Media CLOUDLAND(桃源郷)／PINK CLOUD" (in Japanese). Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  8. ↑ "Joseph W. Jennings, Director, Spelman College Jazz Ensemble". Archived from the original on 26 November 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  9. ↑ "IWasDoingAllRight - Jazz Blog, Ear Training, Jazz Trumpet, Atlanta Jazz". Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  10. ↑ "音楽ビデオ「PSYCHEDELIX 20th March 1994 / サイケデリックス」の通販" (in Japanese). Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  11. ↑ "Jimmy Hall on AllMusic". Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  12. 1 2 "Need We Say More? - News - Dr. Dan Matrazzo Returns to Jam and Funk". Jambands.com. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
  13. 1 2 "Dr. Dan Matrazzo & the Looters CD".
  14. ↑ "Dr. Dan Matrazzo to Join ARU, John Scofield Uberjam at Christmas Jam".
  15. ↑ "AIMS Magnet #83". Issuu. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  16. ↑ Offner, Daniel (2 May 2017). "Salute". Salute Magazine. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.