Matthew Stevens (born 1982) is a Canadian jazz guitarist and composer.[1]
Matthew Stevens | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Stevens performing in Oslo in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Matt Stevens |
| Born | January 8, 1982 |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Years active | c. 2004–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | mattstevensmusic |
Biography
editStevens was born on 8 January 1982 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and studied piano and guitar at a young age. Since graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2004, Stevens has established himself in the contemporary jazz scene performing and recording with numerous artists including Christian Scott,[2] Terri Lyne Carrington,[3] and Esperanza Spalding.[4]
Regarded to be one of the "most exciting up-and-coming jazz guitarists" in his generation, Stevens was placed in the Rising Star Guitar Category of the 63rd Annual DownBeat Critics Poll.[5] His performances have been esteemed by numerous publications including Down Beat,[6] NPR,[7] Jazz Times,[8] Billboard,[9] and The New York Times.[10]
His debut album as a leader, Woodwork, received stellar reviews from critics including Down Beat,[11] All About Jazz,[12] and the Ottawa Citizen.[13] LA Weekly describes the album as "an amalgamation of modern jazz and neo-fusion elements which showcase ... sonic versatility and savvy producing chops".[14]
Stevens has toured extensively in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and South America. He is also a member of the adjunct faculty at the New School and has taught workshops at the Maryland Summer Jazz Workshop, USC, and Berklee College of Music.[1]
Stevens currently resides in New York City, New York.[1]
Awards and honors
editDiscography
editAs a leader
edit- Woodwork (Whirlwind), 2015)[16]
- Preverbal (Ropeadope, 2017)[17]
- Pittsburgh (Whirlwind), 2021)[18]
As a sideman
edit| Year | Artist | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Christian Scott | Rewind That | Concord |
| 2007 | Christian Scott | Anthem | Concord |
| 2008 | Christian Scott | Live at Newport | Concord |
| 2009 | Walter Smith III & Mark Small | Bronze | Fresh Sound |
| 2010 | Jacky Terrasson | Push | Concord |
| 2010 | Christian Scott | Yesterday You Said Tomorrow | Concord |
| 2011 | Ben Williams | State of Art | Concord |
| 2011 | Sean Jones | No Need for Words | Mack Avenue |
| 2012 | ERIMAJ | Conflict of a Man | Don't Cry |
| 2012 | Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah | Christian aTunde Adjuah | Concord |
| 2013 | NEXT Collective | Cover Art | Concord |
| 2013 | Chris Turner | Lovelife Is a Challenge | Love Child |
| 2013 | Chet Doxas | Dive | Addo |
| 2013 | Leron Thomas | Whatever | Independent |
| 2014 | Harvey Mason | Chameleon | Concord |
| 2014 | Walter Smith III | Still Casual | Independent |
| 2015 | Justin Kauflin | Dedication | Qwest |
| 2015 | Michael Oien | And Now | Fresh Sound |
| 2015 | Ben Williams | Coming of Age | Concord Jazz |
| 2015 | Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah | Stretch Music | Ropeadope |
| 2016 | Esperanza Spalding | Emily's D+Evolution | Concord |
| 2017 | Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah | The Emancipation Procrastination | Ropeadope |
| 2017 | Esperanza Spalding | Exposure | Concord |
| 2017 | Linda May Han Oh | Walk Against Wind | Biophilia Records |
| 2018 | Esperanza Spalding | 12 Little Spells | Concord |
| 2019 | Terri Lyne Carrington & Social Science | The Waiting Game | Motéma |
| 2021 | Esperanza Spalding | Songwrights Apothecary Lab | Concord |
| 2022 | Terri Lyne Carrington | New Standards Vol 1 | Candid |
| 2023 | Walter Smith III | Return to Casual | Blue Note |
| 2024 | Esperanza Spalding | Milton + esperanza | Concord |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Matthew Stevens @ All About Jazz". Retrieved 27 August 2015.
- ^ "Christian Scott and Matt Stevens perform on stage at Royal Festival..." Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ Ltd, Headley Brothers. "Review: Terri Lyne Carrington at Montreux". www.jazzjournal.co.uk. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ Chinen, Nate (17 May 2015). "Review: Esperanza Spalding Recalls the Creativity of Youth in New Songs". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
- ^ a b "DownBeat | 63rd Critics Poll Rising Star". DownBeat. Vol. 82, no. 8. Chicago. p. 67. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ "DownBeat | "Matthew Stevens In Due Time"". www.downbeat.com. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "Matthew Stevens Group: Live At Berklee". NPR. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "Jazz Articles: Matthew Stevens: Leading From Within - By Giovanni Russonello — Jazz Articles". jazztimes.com. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "Billboard CD reviews: Taylor Swift, T-Pain - Reuters". mobile.reuters.com. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "Matthew Stevens Group - Events in NYC - Arts and Entertainment Guide - NYTimes". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "DownBeat | Digital Edition | August 2015". www.downbeat.com. August 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "Matthew Stevens: Woodwork". 20 July 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "Matthew Stevens CD reviewed". Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ "The Matt Stevens Group". LA Weekly. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ Murph, John (July 2016). "25 for the Future / Tyshawn Sorey". DownBeat. Vol. 83, no. 7. Chicago. p. 34. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ "DownBeat Magazine Editor's picks (May 2015)". www.downbeat.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^ Fordham, John (23 March 2017). "Matthew Stevens: Preverbal review – subtle, clever jazz fusion". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ^ Conrad, Thomas (18 October 2021). "Matthew Stevens: Pittsburgh (Whirlwind)". Jazz Times. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
