Biography
"That young man is an incredible talent, with a mastery of his three instruments, wonderful sense of humor, and quick mind --- an exceptional entertainer. Good job bringing him in! I played his CD and the last song is an original guitar solo, composed by him, called Burn Me Down --- superbly done! Matt is on a rocket to fame. Hopefully you will get him back."
-House concert audience member (2/26/2009)
Matt Brown is an engaging performer of American roots music. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist and singer, he performs toe-tapping square dance tunes, haunting banjo pieces, and a variety of songs from the blues to ballads. With an expansive
repertoire and a wry sense of humor, Matt delights his audiences with a sound that is both authentic and inventive.
Thanks to a banjo-playing father, Matt grew up with roots music, attending festivals and listening to recordings of the early string bands. He began violin lessons on his fourth birthday, and was soon playing fiddle tunes on the instrument. He added the guitar and banjo in his teens. He has had a number of influential mentors, including David Holt, Dirk Powell, Ginny Hawker, Bruce Molsky, Paul Brown (no relation), Tracy Schwarz, and Bruce Greene.
Matt has performed with many great artists including Paul Brown, Beverly Smith, Carl Jones, David Holt, and Alice Gerrard. He has played with Rhythm in Shoes, appeared as a guest artist with Tim O'Brien, Uncle Earl, and The Wilders, and opened for April Verch and Old School Freight Train. Matt has performed at Club Passim, the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Wheatland Music Festival, the Annenberg Center, the Appalachian String Band Music Festival ("Clifftop"), Dance Flurry, and on Jay Ungar & Molly Mason’s radio show, Dancing on the Air.
Matt’s solo album, "Falls of Richmond," reveals him to be a compelling singer and instrumentalist. His debut recording, “Lone Prairie,” features Paul Brown (banjo) and Beverly Smith (guitar and voice). The CD has been highly praised and features Matt’s dynamic fiddling in a variety of settings. Matt also has an instructional album, “Old-Time Fiddle Lesson Vol. 1,” and is working on a companion book.
In addition to performing, Matt teaches private lessons and workshops across the country. He has been on staff at the Swannanoa Gathering, the Blue Ridge Old-Time Music Week and Ashokan. He is an active studio musician and producer. A majority of his recorded work, including “Lone Prairie,” "Falls of Richmond," and “Old-Time Fiddle Lesson Vol. 1,” is on 5-String Productions (www.5-string.com).
His next album, "My Native Home," will be released in March, 2010.
Instrumentation
Matt Brown - fiddle, banjo, guitar, voice
Discography
Falls of Richmond
Lone Prairie
Old-Time Fiddle Lesson, Vol. 1
Links
| http://www.fiddler1.com |