MATT THOMAS - Dirty Bourbon River Show
Testimonial
Finding the Durga for Tenor and Baritone has been a revelation and the perfect tool to get the sound and grit I've always needed! Whether I'm playing with an acoustic jazz trio, a brass band, or a full electric funk group, these pieces are versatile, fat, and have all the edge you could possibly handle! I'll never look back.
Biography
A born native of New Orleans, Matt grew up immersed in a true melting pot of vibrant and diverse music that seeped its way into his blood. Beginning his musical education and career in earnest at the Loyola University of New Orleans, Matt graduated with a bachelor's degree in Music Industry and plenty of hands on experience. Under the wing of great teachers and local performers like Tony Dagradi and Jason Mingledorff, he learned the essentials of music and improvisation while simultaneously immersing himself into the living music scene of New Orleans. Over the past years,Matt has traveled along the east coast, as far north as Vermont and as far south as Miami, Florida, and now as far west as Colorado and New Mexico, playing a myriad of styles ranging from reggae and ska to New Orleans traditional and contemporary jazz to large funk ensembles and brass bands and even gypsy/circus/rock music. Over the years he has been a part of Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove (world-renowned sousaphonist of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band) and shared the stage with such greats as Bernie Worrell of Parliament Funkadelic, Big Sam, Big Al Carson, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and many other New Orleans greats, while performing at the New Orleans Jazz Fest, French Quarter Festival, and venues ranging from the legendary Tipitina's of New Orleans to Sullivan Hall in New York City. Constantly growing and evolving, Matt is now a dedicated member of the full-time touring group, the Dirty Bourbon River Show, as resident saxophonist and clarinetist. Still very young, Matt continues to push his career and experiences further forward.
more
Inspiration
Why did you choose to become a musician?
I had been playing saxophone in school since I was about 9 years old, but started college as a business major. However, after a few months I realized that I wasn't at all happy or satisfied with what I was doing and started playing my horn again, which led to me to completely changing my major. As time went on and I learned more and met more great artists, I knew that performing and writing music was what I was supposed to have been doing all along! I've never looked back.
What is your experience when you feel connected into the music?
It all comes down to feeling a real sense of purpose. When the music is really happening, I'm having as much fun as the audience is, and I feel fully connected to the group and the music that we're making. I'm not just performing a task, but instead becoming a part of a living experience and cohesive sound. You stop thinking about what you're doing and just play without any hangups.
What is your experience of when you don't feel connected to your music?
There will always be those gigs or sessions that you have to endure that just aren't happening for one reason or another. At those points, it either just feels like being at work or you wind up questioning yourself. "Why are people not responding? Why aren't my ideas coming like they should? Is it me or the rhythm section?'' That's life though. People aren't always on the same page, and sometimes you have to truck through the boring/disjointed stuff in order to really appreciate those wow moments.
Where does your inspiration comes from? What does it feel like?
I'm inspired by all the new and different music that I'm constantly exposed to. I try not to be limited by being a saxophonist and try to allow all the music I hear to be relevant to my playing. One of my first inspirations was the saxophonist, Skerik, who displayed for me at an early age how diverse the saxophone could be. He can hang with the best jazz players, but has experience that ranges from traditional African music to heavy metal! When I hear something truly authentic and inspired, my mind gets excited and I start to absorb the sound. Good music is good music!
What is your experience while improvising? Does it relate to any spirituality you may practice in your life?
Improvisation comprises the majority of what I do, whether it's taking a solo or having to spontaneously come up with melodies and/or horn lines in a section. For me, it has the potential for uninhibited expression and communication. You can express your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a language that has a more diverse alphabet and vocabulary than any spoken language! You have to take the time to truly learn to speak, but it's something that should never stop growing and evolving. As far as spirituality goes, playing and improvising always make me feel a sense of purpose and place in the world. This is what I'm supposed to be doing, and I feel complete and in the moment.
Where does your inspiration while composing come from? What is your experience of that inspiration like?
I always draw my musical ideas from my experiences and the music I've heard before. Sometimes the melody almost writes itself because of the context. Sometimes I'll be listening to a great song, and I'll hear a different melody or a variation on a part of the music that's already there, and I'll start from there. It's almost like letting the right things just come to you. You know it when you hear it.
Do you have any fun stories of inspirational moments to share?
The most definitively inspirational moment for my career so far was being introduced to Kirk Joseph of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. I was supposed to be filming an interview for a documentary that was a part of my requirements to graduate from Loyola, and I forgot the film for the camera! When he asked if I was new to film, I told him I was actually a horn player, and he asked me to come to his next rehearsal. He'd never even heard me play, and he gave me a shot that I was not willing to let pass me by! Working with Kirk made me the musician I am to today and taught me endless valuable lessons, among which was learning how much you gain by playing with guys who are better and more experienced than yourself. Hope this helps! I'm working on getting you a picture very soon. I have something already picked out, I just need to drop a water mark on it, as per instructions of the photographer. I'll get it to you asap, though. If you need anything else or need me to change anything, just let me know! Thanks for being great to work with.
more
I had been playing saxophone in school since I was about 9 years old, but started college as a business major. However, after a few months I realized that I wasn't at all happy or satisfied with what I was doing and started playing my horn again, which led to me to completely changing my major. As time went on and I learned more and met more great artists, I knew that performing and writing music was what I was supposed to have been doing all along! I've never looked back.
What is your experience when you feel connected into the music?
It all comes down to feeling a real sense of purpose. When the music is really happening, I'm having as much fun as the audience is, and I feel fully connected to the group and the music that we're making. I'm not just performing a task, but instead becoming a part of a living experience and cohesive sound. You stop thinking about what you're doing and just play without any hangups.
What is your experience of when you don't feel connected to your music?
There will always be those gigs or sessions that you have to endure that just aren't happening for one reason or another. At those points, it either just feels like being at work or you wind up questioning yourself. "Why are people not responding? Why aren't my ideas coming like they should? Is it me or the rhythm section?'' That's life though. People aren't always on the same page, and sometimes you have to truck through the boring/disjointed stuff in order to really appreciate those wow moments.
Where does your inspiration comes from? What does it feel like?
I'm inspired by all the new and different music that I'm constantly exposed to. I try not to be limited by being a saxophonist and try to allow all the music I hear to be relevant to my playing. One of my first inspirations was the saxophonist, Skerik, who displayed for me at an early age how diverse the saxophone could be. He can hang with the best jazz players, but has experience that ranges from traditional African music to heavy metal! When I hear something truly authentic and inspired, my mind gets excited and I start to absorb the sound. Good music is good music!
What is your experience while improvising? Does it relate to any spirituality you may practice in your life?
Improvisation comprises the majority of what I do, whether it's taking a solo or having to spontaneously come up with melodies and/or horn lines in a section. For me, it has the potential for uninhibited expression and communication. You can express your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a language that has a more diverse alphabet and vocabulary than any spoken language! You have to take the time to truly learn to speak, but it's something that should never stop growing and evolving. As far as spirituality goes, playing and improvising always make me feel a sense of purpose and place in the world. This is what I'm supposed to be doing, and I feel complete and in the moment.
Where does your inspiration while composing come from? What is your experience of that inspiration like?
I always draw my musical ideas from my experiences and the music I've heard before. Sometimes the melody almost writes itself because of the context. Sometimes I'll be listening to a great song, and I'll hear a different melody or a variation on a part of the music that's already there, and I'll start from there. It's almost like letting the right things just come to you. You know it when you hear it.
Do you have any fun stories of inspirational moments to share?
The most definitively inspirational moment for my career so far was being introduced to Kirk Joseph of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. I was supposed to be filming an interview for a documentary that was a part of my requirements to graduate from Loyola, and I forgot the film for the camera! When he asked if I was new to film, I told him I was actually a horn player, and he asked me to come to his next rehearsal. He'd never even heard me play, and he gave me a shot that I was not willing to let pass me by! Working with Kirk made me the musician I am to today and taught me endless valuable lessons, among which was learning how much you gain by playing with guys who are better and more experienced than yourself. Hope this helps! I'm working on getting you a picture very soon. I have something already picked out, I just need to drop a water mark on it, as per instructions of the photographer. I'll get it to you asap, though. If you need anything else or need me to change anything, just let me know! Thanks for being great to work with.