EAGLE

Matt joined the Eagle Jazz Band in 2004 at 47 he is still considered one of the younger musicians playing traditional jazz in Britain today. He started learning clarinet at the age fifteen having become a keen jazz fan through listening to his father’s records, which included sessions from the 50’s and 60’s by Chris Barber, Alex Welsh and the Dutch Swing College Band. His first experience of playing jazz came in 1988 when he started to sit in with a few bands that played in pubs around the Nottingham area. In 1990 (at the age of twenty) Matt formed the ‘Knights of Jazz’ who enjoyed a great deal success in the early 1990’s. Matt’s full-time career in music began in 1995 when he became a member of the resident jazz band at Alton Towers theme park, Staffordshire and became bandleader in his final season (1997). During his time there he worked many of the countries leading traditional jazz musicians including Pete Brown, Terry Brunt, Mike Dexter and Arthur Brown. When the theme park contract came to an end Matt formed the Millennium Jazz Band who became firm favourites in several leading jazz venues. Other activities have included several visits to Puerto de Mogan, Gran Canaria where Matt hosted star-studded jam sessions featuring musicians appearing at the jazz festival held on the island. These sessions have included such notables as the late Kenny Baker and clarinet star Pete Allen.