Matt Holman

In the midst of a vibrant musical scene in Chicago, trumpeter and composer Matt Holman has established himself as a creative composer and improviser throughout the United States and internationally. No stranger to success, Matt is the recipient of numerous awards, notably first prize in the 2004 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition in Denver, Colorado. Other honors include winning Downbeat Magazine’s award as a member of Monk by Five (2004) and second prize in the National Trumpet Competition, Jazz Division (2004).

His 2006-07 season is highlighted by performances in New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Arizona and throughout the Midwest, including a performance this February in St. Louis’ Sheldon Concert Hall with esteemed jazz pianist Fred Hersch. Matt recently performed with Mr. Hersch in Chicago at the Steppenwolf Theater in an ensemble that included vocalists Kurt Elling and Kate McGarry. In 2005, Matt was a selected performer at the International Association for Jazz Education Conference (IAJE) in Long Beach California. In 2004, Matt traveled to Canada to attend the Banff International Jazz Workshop under the direction of Dave Douglas. There, Matt was able to meet and collaborate with many musicians from all over the world. Soon after this residency, Matt relocated to Chicago to explore music and improvisation with some of the creative musicians from Banff.

An active and sought-after composer, Matt has frequent commissions for his melodic and dramatic pieces, and has composed works for Marvin Stamm, Ed Soph, Marie Speziale, Dominic Spera, David Baker, Pat Harbison, and the 2004 Indiana All-State High School Jazz Ensemble. In addition, Matt has composed and arranged numerous pieces for high school and college groups across the country. He has composed for and led groups that appeared on the recordings 2003 Live from Bloomington and Preservation Records: Project Bloomington.

Performing in a wide range of musical ensembles, Matt’s latest project, Matt Holman’s Diversion Ensemble is an exciting group featuring accessible yet thoughtful original compositions fusing elements of rock, classical, and jazz music. The ensemble performers are Matt Holman (trumpet), Doug Rosenberg (saxophones), Matt Ulery (bass), Rob Clearfield (keyboard), and Jon Deitemyer (drums). Some of Chicago's new generation of young creative artists, ensemble members currently perform with Zach Brock, Fred Hersch, Fareed Haque, Grazyna Auguscik, and Goran Ivanovic. Matt holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University, graduating in 2004 with high distinction and the prestigious Performers Certificate. Matt has studied under the guidance of Dr. David Baker, Dominic Spera, Pat Harbison, Marie Speziale, William Adam, and Laurie Frink.

For more information, please visit www.mattholman.com

Contact and Booking
booking@mattholman.com

BAND BIOGRAPHIES

Doug Rosenberg (saxophones, flute) is a member of the new generation of jazz musicians composing and improvising music for the next century. The Chicago Tribune hails his “fearlessness of spirit and a robustness of tone that seem likely to win him a devoted following in coming years.” Rosenberg’s work on saxophone has an instantly recognizable sound and personal melodic language. He is best known for his work with Eastern Blok and Goran Ivanovic. Doug Rosenberg has also collaborated with great musicians like Kelan Phil Cohran, Robert Glasper, Baabe Irving, Rakalam Bob Moses, John Sinclair, and Oscar Stagnaro.

Rob Clearfield (keyboards), a Chicago native, has had the privilege of a very diverse musical background. Since high school, Rob has shown an interest in many styles of music, studying and performing jazz, gospel, rock, hip-hop, classical and afro-latin. After a brief period of study at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Clearfield has enjoyed a successful career as a performer, working professionally with such artists as Fareed Haque, Juma Santos, Corey Wilkes, Ernest Dawkins, and Walt Whitman and the Soul Children of Chicago. In addition to these collaborations, Clearfield is also an active composer. His original music can be heard in the jazz/indie rock group Information Superhighway, whose debut recording was released in late 2006.

Matthew Ulery is a Chicago-born bassist and composer. Moving to Rockford, IL at an early age, he soon began playing bass and started performing by the age of 14. Since his first performance, Ulery has played many styles of music. These include the entire spectrum of jazz, classical, rock, pop, gospel, theatre, and folk-- specifically American, South American, Balkan, and other European folk styles. He has performed not only on upright and electric bass, but has doubled on tuba and keyboards. Fortunate enough to have found his calling at such an early age, Ulery returned to Chicago to earn his bachelors degree in music composition at The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt Univ