Matt Brown

Artist Information

Biography

Matt Brown is a talented performer of American roots music. He is an entertaining singer and multi-instrumentalist. He has established himself as a highly respected fiddler, both authentic and innovative. His mentors are some of the best fiddlers in the genre, including Brad Leftwich, Rafe Stefanini, Bruce Molsky, Dirk Powell, and Bruce Greene. As a banjo player, he cites the early influence of his father, Tim Brown. More recently, he has also had the privilege of learning from Paul Brown. Along the way, he taught himself how to play guitar and has become a soulful flat-picker, in addition to being a solid rhythm player. Ginny Hawker, Tracy Schwarz, Charles Williams, and Dick Swain have all helped shape his relaxed, resonant singing style.

Matt Brown tours the country presenting solo shows. He has performed in a variety of configurations: with Paul Brown as the Brown Brothers; with Rhythm in Shoes, Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble; with Flynn Cohen; and with Paul Brown and Beverly Smith as the Lone Prairie Band. Matt has appeared as a guest artist with Tim O'Brien, Uncle Earl, and The Wilders. He has performed at a variety of prestigious venues and festivals, including Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center, Club Passim, the Annenberg Center, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, The Wheatland Music Festival, The Appalachian String Band Music Festival ("Clifftop"), The New England Folk Festival, and on Jay Ungar & Molly Mason's radio program, Dancing on the Air.

Matt's debut album, Lone Prairie, was recorded with Paul Brown on banjo and Beverly Smith playing guitar and singing. The material covers a wide emotional palette with tunes from the standard repertoire as well as obscure pieces learned from field recordings. Matt's second studio release, Falls of Richmond, demonstrates his versatility as a solo musician and singer. Matt's third album, My Native Home, has just arrived. It is a delightful mix of solo performances and collaborations featuring four remarkable guest artists: Tim O'Brien, Ben Krakauer, Brittany Haas, and Mark Schatz.

Instrumentation

Matt Brown - fiddle, banjo, guitar, voice

Discography

My Native Home
Falls of Richmond
Lone Prairie
Old-Time Fiddle Lesson, Vol. 1

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Build Me a Cabin
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• Half Past Four
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• Sandy River Belle
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• Mike in the Wilderness
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Video

Matt Brown live in Brooklyn, 3/8/09

Photo Gallery

Press

• Praise for Concert [+ Show ]
  

  Matt Brown is among a growing group of younger performers who will help to keep folk traditions aliv...Matt Brown is among a growing group of younger performers who will help to keep folk traditions alive because they've clearly fallen in love with the music and are busily applying their considerable skills to spreading it near and far. Matt is a dynamite fiddler and does a nice job on banjo, guitar and vocals too. I did our booking through him and he was a delight to work with; even going so far as to learn a few numbers to fit into a Civil War theme in honor of Lincoln's birthday.

• My Native Home Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Versatile old-time musician Matt Brown has a new CD due for release March 18 from 5-String Producti..."Versatile old-time musician Matt Brown has a new CD due for release March 18 from 5-String Productions. My Native Home features Brown on fiddle, banjo, guitar and vocals, assisted by Tim O’Brien on guitar and harmony vocals, Brittany Haas on fiddle, Ben Krakauer on banjo, and March Schatz on bass.
  
  Another especially strong cut is Taylor Girls, a fiddle tune of Matt’s. I have always been partial to the sound of 3-finger banjo in old time music, and this tune is a perfect vehicle.
  
  Brown is a talented instrumentalist who sings with a plaintive voice that is thoroughly convincing on the sort of traditional ballads he offers here. Most of the arrangements are sparse, with four songs presented unaccompanied.
  
  The tunes are my favorite parts of the CD, again presented without much adornment. Matt recorded Folding Down The Sheets and Sandy River Belle as solo banjo tracks, and Happy Hollow by himself on fiddle. A standout to me is the duet he does with Haas, which Brown says was a blast for him to record......"

• Praise for Concert [+ Show ]
  

  It is with great pleasure that I write in support of Matt Brown, who recently gave a superb musical ...It is with great pleasure that I write in support of Matt Brown, who recently gave a superb musical performance for our library's Bookhouse concert series.
  
  Matt's extraordinary skills as a performer, combined with his obvious love of live performing, made for an exceptional evening of first-rate entertainment for our audience. Matt's performance on November 30, 2007 marked the end of our successful 2007 season, and Matt's lively, energetic performance truly made the evening one of the highlights of the year. The audience response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic, and since the performance took place, I have received numerous emails and in-person comments from people expressing their gratitude for a wonderful evening of authentic bluegrass music.
  
  I look forward to welcoming Matt Brown back to EMPL for a future performance, and I wish him continued success as he seeks to add new venues to his busy schedule of performances in the coming year and beyond.
  
  Sincerely,
  Rob Ramos
  Adult Programming Coordinator
  Eastern Monroe Public Library
  570-421-0800 x30
  rramos@monroepl.org
  

• Praise for Concert [+ Show ]
  

  As a performer Matt strives to both entertain and to educate. His light-hearted stage presence is i...As a performer Matt strives to both entertain and to educate. His light-hearted stage presence is immediately comforting to his audiences, and his delivery of historical information is as enlightening and provocative as his music is exhilarating…I highly recommend supporting his endeavors to the fullest extent possible.

• Matt Brown Endorsement [+ Show ]
  

  Matt Brown's fiddling blends ability, taste, and creativity until the tune cries "Uncle." Whether ...Matt Brown's fiddling blends ability, taste, and creativity until the tune cries "Uncle." Whether it's jazz, swing, bluegrass, or old-time music, Matt keeps his eye on the past, and his hands on the future.
  
  

• Lone Prairie Endorsement [+ Show ]
  

  Matt's fiddling is expressive, heartfelt and spirited. This collection of old time tunes is full of ...Matt's fiddling is expressive, heartfelt and spirited. This collection of old time tunes is full of musical jewels.

• Lone Prairie Review [+ Show ]
  

  This is a very tasty CD from the fine young old-time fiddler, Matt Brown...both Paul Brown and Bever...This is a very tasty CD from the fine young old-time fiddler, Matt Brown...both Paul Brown and Beverly Smith provide perfect instrumental accompaniment for the central voice on this CD, Matt's fiddle...I don't see how these three fine musicians could have done a better job of this.

• Lone Prairie Review [+ Show ]
  

  Matt Brown is an old-time fiddler who has amassed quite an impressive musical resume. For his latest...Matt Brown is an old-time fiddler who has amassed quite an impressive musical resume. For his latest project, he has gathered some of his favorite Appalachian fiddle tunes...Anyone who appreciates authentic old-time fiddling would be well-advised to add "Lone Prairie" to their library.

• Lone Prairie Review
  

  Matt Brown can take his place among the finest fiddlers of his generation.

Setlist

Currently on the List:
Celebrated Workingman
Goin' to Germany
Folding Down the Sheets
Commodore Barry
Forked Deer
Roscoe
Time Has Made a Change in Me
Build Me a Cabin
Carroll County Blues
Cripple Creek.....

Basic Requirements

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