Matt Peterson

Description

Matt Peterson is a multi-award winning jazz and classical pianist and bandleader.  His group plays a melodic, energetic style of jazz that draws on influences from funk, blues, classical music, and film scores.   He is the pianist, bandleader, composer, and arranger on his 2022 full-length album “Better Worlds.”  Locally he plays every Saturday night at Suzette’s Creperie and for the Joffrey Ballet company in Chicago.   He is also an active composer and has written for film and TV as well as concert works for solo piano, chamber groups, and jazz combos.

Work Sample

https://soundcloud.com/matt-peterson-5/mix-hundred-pound-football-league?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

My original piece "100 Pound Football League" is a work for jazz quintet - piano, bass, drums, trumpet, and tenor saxophone.   It was recorded as part of my full-length album "Better Worlds," at Electrical Audio in Chicago.   6:32 running time 

https://soundcloud.com/matt-peterson-5/blackbird?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

This is my jazz arrangement of the Beatles classic "Blackbird."  I have performed this arrangement both on solo piano and with my jazz trio in concerts around the greater Chicagoland area - this features Gustavo Cortinas on the drums and Kitt Lyles on the upright bass, as well as myself on piano.  

https://soundcloud.com/matt-peterson-5/better-worlds?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

"Better Worlds" is the title track of my new jazz album, recorded at Electrical Audio in Chicago in October of 2021.  The album has 11 tracks (10 original compositions and 1 arrangement of "Blackbird" by the Beatles.)  

The work sample I submitted is entirely jazz and represents my newest album, "Better Worlds" and the smaller, hard-bop-sized jazz groups that I most enjoy playing with.   I also maintain a busy schedule of solo piano gigs and classical concerts, especially the works of Debussy, Ravel, Chopin, and Liszt, and my own original classical piano compositions.  

History

With a Bachelors in Classical Piano and Composition from Wheaton College and a Masters in Jazz Piano from Indiana University Bloomington's Jacobs School of Music, I have performed as a classical and jazz pianist in Seattle, Los Angeles, and most recently in the greater Chicagoland area for the past 8 years.  I have performed with the Disneyland All-American College Band, regularly with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, and with my own jazz group, which recently recorded a full-length album of music in October 2021.   I have toured nationwide on jazz piano with vibraphonist Stephen Lynerd.  

Artistic Vision

My jazz compositions draw strong stylistic influences from classical music, film scores, funk, and blues.  The jazz pianists that most heavily factor in my style include Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, Tigran Hamasyan and Brad Mehldau.  My style is highly melodic and focused on accessibility and connection with the audience.  Melody and the concept of writing "songs without words" are important to the way that I approach my process.  

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

I maintain a private studio of around 30 weekly piano students and have a strong educational bent in my vocation.  I am constantly inspired by my students.  I enjoy performing for high school and college students as well as doing master classes and guest artist appearances at educational institutions.   I have also taught private lessons and directed jazz combo and taught at the Summer Jazz Camp at the Bellas Artes School of Music in Glen Ellyn, IL for several years.   I enjoy opportunities that include a performative and an educational aspect.