Matthew Fries
Audio Clip 1: Open Water (Matthew Fries performing with Tri-Fi)
Audio Clip 2: The Sweet Life (from his solo recording, "Parallel States")
Pianist Matthew Fries has been making waves in the jazz world as both a soloist and accompanist. The winner of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition, his debut album, Song for Today () was named a 2001 critics pick by Jazziz Magazine, and his continuing work with his collaborative trio, , 鈥渢akes on the Jazz Trio challenge and delivers a 鈥榢nock out鈥 punch鈥 (Jazz Review). As a sideman his work has been described as 鈥渢he best jazz accompaniment I鈥檝e seen in a cabaret in years鈥 (The New York Times), and 鈥渢he crispest rhythm section imaginable鈥 (The London Times).
Matthew has been playing piano all his life. He was born in the small town of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a musical home. His mother was a classical singer. His father was a professor of piano at Susquehanna University and was Matthew鈥檚 first teacher, teaching him piano and music theory. During high school he played trumpet and sang in school choruses, but returned to piano after a college jazz history course awakened his interest in jazz piano. He earned a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree from Ithaca College and went on to earn a Master鈥檚 Degree from The University of Tennessee, where he taught undergraduate classes and studied with jazz piano great, Donald Brown.
Matthew tours frequently with his collaborative trio, , and with singer, , as a regular member of his band. He continues to perform with a diverse lineup of artists that has included Stacey Kent, Ann Hampton Callaway, DeeDee Bridgewater, Vincent Herring, Steve Wilson, Dave Samuels, Claudio Roditi, Terell Stafford, and many others.
Matthew Fries
Assistant Professor, Keyboard Jazz Studies
Office: (269) 387-4688
Location:
1201 Dalton Center, Mail Stop 5434
Mailing address:
Irving S. Gilmore School of Music
麻豆传媒
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5434 USA
Education:
- M.M., Jazz Studies, University of Tennessee, 1993
- B.M., Jazz Studnes, Ithaca College, 1990