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WSU
guest artist concert to feature jazz quartet
By
Julie Rausch
Alumnus
Matt Wilson of the popular Matt Wilson Quartet will perform at 7:30
p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, in Miller Concert Hall, as the leader of
a new ensemble Arts and Crafts, which also is the title for his
newest release on Palmetto Records.
The
program will include original compositions, but the thrust will
be straight-ahead jazz. "Arts and Crafts" includes everything
from bebop to a Brazilian tune, "Beijoa Flor," to an old
show tune, "There’s No You," to an old folk song,
"All Through the Night," that Wilson says he loved as
a grade school student.
Wilson
has surrounded himself with excellent musicians, says J.C. Combs
about the group.
In
addition to Wilson, Arts and Crafts members are pianist Larry Goldings,
bassist Dennis Irwin and trumpeter Terell Stafford.
"It
couldn’t be a better mix of players," Combs says. "Success
happens when chemistry works, and Matt is a master of making chemistry."
"Arts
and Crafts" was recently chosen as one of the top 20 jazz recordings
of 2001 by Gary Giddins in the Village Voice.
Wilson
was nominated as jazz artist of the year in the 2001 Playboy music
poll. He was chosen as one of the "25 for the future"
by DownBeat magazine and annually places prominently in the magazine’s
critic’s poll. He was profiled in the November 2000 issue of
Jazz Times magazine as one of the four drummers who represent the
future of jazz drumming. The New York Jazz Critic’s Circle
chose him best new artist in 1997. He was recently awarded a grant
from Chamber Music American to compose works based on Carl Sandburg’s
poetry.
Wilson’s
fresh approach to music education has made him a popular clinician
at high school and college campuses worldwide. He is a clinician
for the Avedis Zildjian Cymbal Co. and Pearl drums.
After
a workshop session by Combs in Milwaukee, Wilson, then a high school
student, approached the professor of percussion and told him he
wanted to study with him. Combs suggested he visit WSU. Not long
after that, Wilson arrived at Combs’ doorstep. He stayed with
Combs’ family for awhile and attended WSU. He graduated in
1986 with a bachelor’s degree in music performance.
While
studying at WSU, Wilson immersed himself in every conceivable ensemble
from big band to polka and he went about it as if it were the
most important thing in the world, says Combs.
"Matt
was always experimenting as a student," Combs says. "Now
when performing he’ll do things like hand out instruments during
a show and let the audience participate. Or he’ll do a takeoff
on the ‘Survivor’ show and vote somebody off the band
in the middle of a set. He’s a true entertainer, but he does
it in such a way that the music is always first, and he does it
all with great flair."
The
New York Times says, "Audiences love Matt Wilson, easily one
of the best drummers of his generation."
The
Village Voice says of Wilson’s talent, "More and more
it is obvious that the drummer is becoming one of the era’s
most imaginative jazz figures."
Call
978-3233 to reserve tickets. All seats are $10.
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