Biography
Matt Jasper is a singer songwriter who has an ear for a hook, a lyrical wit, and a charming stage presence. He was born and raised in New York, beginning to hone his musical chops on a number of instruments. At age 10 he took up trombone, at age 14, the guitar, and at age 16, the bass. He began performing at age 16, and hasn't stopped since.
In the Fall of 2000, he traveled to New Jersey to begin college. Using the four track he got as a high school graduation present, he created his first album "Jasper Makes Music". After settling into college life, he formed his first band, Red Electric. While in Red Electric, he released his second solo record, "Thinking Back" (2002). The members of Red Electric also formed the University's first Musicians Guild, to promote musicians rights to rehearse and perform on campus, which Matt Jasper led for over a year. A few semesters later, Red Electric broke up, and Matt added a backing band to his solo sound. In between, Matt Jasper joined the college radio station, becoming a notorious disc jockey for 90.3 (RLC-WVPH FM) the Core under the moniker DJ Tanner on the Full House of Rock. Matt also began a long term, long distanced relationship while in college. He documented this relationship in true concept album fashion, with 2004's "The Distance Between", a combination short story compilation and full length song cycle. This album marked a step up, with a full band sound being overdubbed, developing a thicker pop sheen compared to his earlier stripped down sound.
Soon after college was completed, that relationship that inspired The Distance Between came to an end, which kickstarted another song cycle, one that would take approximately two years to complete. That culmination is the album "As A Matter Of Fact" released in the Spring of 2007. As A Matter Of Fact was released as the first album on the For The Records insignia, an independent label which Matt Jasper owns and operates.
Matt is currently hard at work recording his follow up to As A Matter Of Fact, planning a Summer 2008 tour, and balancing all that with a day job within the music industry in Manhattan.
Instrumentation
Matt Jasper - vocals, guitar, bass, keys, ukulele, trombone, trumpet, and drum machine although not always all at once.
Discography
As A Matter Of Fact (2007) (LP)*
The Distance Between (2004) (LP)*
Ordinary People (2003) (single)*+
Thinking Back (2002) (LP)
Jasper Makes Music (2000) (LP)
*-Received College Radio airplay within the Northeast US region.
+- available through RUMG Compilation CD Vol. 1
Links
| http://www.mattjasper.com |