Drummer, composer, bandleader, educator, and Palmetto recording artist Matt Wilson connects with people. As a sideman to such jazz notables as Charlie Haden, Dewey Redman and Lee Konitz among many others, his open mind and joyful spirit lifts the bandstand. As a bandleader, his infectious creative spirit allows his band and the audience to share in the excitement of the moment. He is not afraid t...
Drummer, composer, bandleader, educator, and Palmetto recording artist Matt Wilson connects with people. As a sideman to such jazz notables as Charlie Haden, Dewey Redman and Lee Konitz among many others, his open mind and joyful spirit lifts the bandstand. As a bandleader, his infectious creative spirit allows his band and the audience to share in the excitement of the moment. He is not afraid to challenge, entertain and have fun!
Since moving to New York in 1992, Wilson has established himself as one of the most imaginative jazz artists of his generation. He has performed on over 160 recordings and has toured throughout the world. He was voted Jazz Drummer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association in 2003 and for the past four years has been voted #1 Rising Star Drummer in the DownBeat International Critic’s Poll as well as prominent mentions in the Jazz Artist and Composer categories. Wilson leads Arts & Crafts, The Matt Wilson Quartet, The Carl Sandburg Project and The Rugged 4 and has made 7 acclaimed recordings as a leader in his ten-year association with Palmetto Records. Wilson is also a popular clinician and has conducted workshops for students around the world.
Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts was voted one of the top acoustic jazz groups in the 2005 and 2006 Downbeat Critic’s Poll. Touring throughout the US and Europe, the band has recently performed to enthusiastic audiences at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony Hall and the Newport and San Francisco Jazz festivals as well as at numerous colleges, high schools and jazz clubs. Matt Wilson’s Arts & Crafts is also in demand for their inspirational educational workshops that cover a wide range of subjects for all age groups. In 2004, they visited numerous New York City schools as part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jazz in the Schools program.
