MATT YOUNG
Band Leader | Bassist | Guitarist | Composer | Arranger | Teacher

Matt Young, a St. Louis native, has quickly become one of the most well-know bassist and bandleaders on the Chicago music scene.  Before moving to Chicago, Matt was extremely active in St. Louis' local jazz scene with his own group, The Matt Young Project.  In St. Louis, he also had the privilege and pleasure of playing with many local legends including: Willie Akins, Freddie Washington, Dave Stone, Sid Rodway, Gary Sykes, Maurice Carnes, Jerome "Scrooge" Harris, P'tah Williams, Eric Slaughter, Tom Byrne, and Kim Portnoy. Matt was also one of the regular bassists for The Dave Stone Trio, The Riverfront Times SLAMMIES Award Winner for Best Jazz in St. Louis in 2000, 2001, and 2002.

In 2002, Matt began performing for Carnival Cruise Lines.  During his two-year employment contract, he worked on 9 ships and performed as the primary bassist in the Las Vegas style production show bands and in jazz trios.

After relocating to Chicago in August of 2004, Matt has had the fortunate experience of working with several jazz legends including, Nikki Haris, Jon Faddis and the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, Eddie Gomez, Jimmy Heath, Cedar Walton, and Vocalist, Dee Dee Bridgewater.

In the local scene, Matt has been very active as a bandleader and a sideman.  His own band, The Matt Young Group, can be found playing all over the Chicagoland area at corporate events, private parties, wedding receptions and local clubs.  As a sideman, he has worked with many Chicago jazz favorites including guitarists, Mike Allemana, Rob Block and Andy Brown; pianists, Dennis Luxion, Peter Saxe, Chris Forman, Ben Patterson, Ron Perillo, and Dan Cray; and, vocalists, Lenny Lynn, June Yvon, Hinda Hoffman, Allison Ruble, Stephanie Browning, Sarah Young, Jen Zias, Lesley Byers, Ava Logan, and Kimberly Gordon.   

EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Arts - Jazz Studies (Columbia College - Chicago, 2007).
- Graduated with Honors.
- Received a Full-Tuition Music Scholarship (2005-2007).

PERFORMACE EXPERIENCE
- 11+ years of professional performance experience.
- Experience as a leader and sideman in numerous settings.
- Extensive experience in the small group jazz combo, and dance band settings.
- Experience in all styles, including: Motown, R&B, Latin, Funk, Blues, Rock, and Jazz.
- Extensive improvisational experience.
- Extensive sight reading and show band experience.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- 5+ years of private lesson instruction: piano, guitar, bass and flute. 
- Experience in giving group rhythm section classes. 
- Co-instructed jazz combos at Washington University in St. Louis, MO.
- CLICK HERE for information about lessons.