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MATT YOUNG
Band Leader | Bassist | Guitarist | Composer
| Arranger | Teacher
Matt Young is a humble and passionate musician
who's love for music and performing in ensembles has guided his life for the past 20 years. Matt started his musical career
where musicians often do - in church. At the age of 10, Matt was playing flute, guitar, bass and keyboard at his church,
and quickly became a trusted substitute when the regular church band leaders were out of town. With his first band leading
position at the age of 12, Matt was destined to go on to bigger and better things.
Playing in an ensemble requires more than just physical skill and
technique. In addition, a good musician is keenly aware of blending into the unified sound of the ensemble. Matt is the type
of musician that has a well-developed ear, and a deep understanding of playing in and leading ensembles. As a sideman, Matt
has performed in various settings including small jazz combos, rock bands, big bands, cover bands, blues bands and show bands.
In St. Louis, Matt was a member of the Dave Stone Trio, winners of the Riverfront Times' Slammies for best jazz from 2000-2003,
and was well known as one of the top-call bassists.
In 2004, Matt started his employment with Carnival Cruise lines and toured the Caribbean for almost
3 years. Matt was the primary bassist in jazz trios and the Las Vegas style production shows. It was during this time that
Matt developed an extremely professional approach to playing music. Carnival had a high standard for musicians, and the entertainment
department was known for sending less than adequate players home after one week. Matt made the cut and continued on to become
one of the fleets top level bassists. Matt still subs on occasion for vacationing bassists for Carnival.
After his employment on the cruise ships, Matt
moved to Chicago and finished his degree in music at one of Chicago's most cutting edge performing arts schools, Columbia
College. In the jazz program Matt had the pleasure of meeting, performing with and being somewhat mentored by legendary jazz
trumpeter, Jon Faddis. Under the direction of Mr. Faddis, Matt frequently subbed in rehearsals for the Chicago Jazz Ensemble,
and gained the respect of many of Chicago's top players. Matt quickly became one of Chicago's most in demand bassists,
and has had the fortunate experience of sharing the stage with some of Chicago's finest vocalists including Kimberly Gordon,
Sarah Marie Young, Typhanie Monique, Hinda Hoffman, and many more. He has also had the pleasure of playing with the Tim Fitzgerald
quartet backing national vocalist, Niki Haris, background singer for Madonna for 15 years.
In 2007, after graduating and with an entrepreneurial spirit, Matt
started his own group, The Matt Young Group. Since then, under Matt's leadership, the band has performed at over 200 events
including wedding receptions, corporate functions, fund raisers, and club dates. He has been referred to as a "consummate
professional" by his past clients, and is looking forward to successful future working with many more.
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.
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