Matthew Stevens | |
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Stevens performing in Oslo in 2019 | |
Background information | |
Also known as | Matt Stevens |
Born | (1982-01-08) January 8, 1982 (age 42) |
Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Genres | Jazz |
Occupations |
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Instrument | Guitar |
Years active | c. 2004–present |
Labels |
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Website | mattstevensmusic |
Matthew Stevens (born 1982) is a Canadian jazz guitarist and composer.
Biography
Stevens 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, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Esperanza Spalding.
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. His performances have been esteemed by numerous publications including Down Beat, NPR, Jazz Times, Billboard, and The New York Times.
His debut album as a leader, Woodwork, received stellar reviews from critics including Down Beat, All About Jazz, and the Ottawa Citizen. LA Weekly describes the album as "an amalgamation of modern jazz and neo-fusion elements which showcase ... sonic versatility and savvy producing chops".
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.
Stevens currently resides in New York City, New York.
Awards and honors
- 2015: DownBeat magazine: The 63rd Annual DownBeat Critics Poll / Rising Star Guitar Category
- 2016: DownBeat magazine: “25 for the Future”
Discography
As a leader
- Woodwork (Whirlwind), 2015)
- Preverbal (Ropeadope, 2017)
- Pittsburgh (Whirlwind), 2021)
As a sideman
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
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.