Pianist, Matthew Fries, was the winner of the Great American Piano Competition. Pianist and former Jazz Messenger, James Williams, called Fries “a bright young star in the galaxy of pianists who will lead us into the 21st century.†As a sideman, Matthew has been described as "the best jazz accompaniment I've seen in a cabaret in years" (The New York Times) and "a distinct asset" (Variety Magazine). He tours and performs regularly with singers Curtis Stigers and has performed with Stacey Kent , DeeDee Bridgewater, Vincent Herring, Claudio Roditi, Steve Wilson, Peter Bernstein, Charlie Persip, Walter Perkins, Billy Hart, Jay Leonhart and many others.