Ansel Matthews is a singer and acoustic guitarist with a warm, soulful voice and an impressive three-octave range. He feels passionately about society which is reflected in his songwriting. Lyrically his songs explore deep feelings whether its finding answers within, urging people to get motivated, or hoping to bring people together by offering a musical prayer to the world.He received his first guitar (a nylon stringed one) at age 9. He would later try his hand at the steel and electric guitar but eventually gravitated back to the classical guitar. "The classical guitar", explains Matthews, "with its warm round sound connects with the romantic in me. I really love the elasticity of the strings which allow for a subtlety that is similar in sound to the human voice." Musically he draws from wide-ranging influences - soul singers such as Sam Cooke, crooners like Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, the early Motown sounds especially Stevie Wonder, the Seventies pop-folk of Jim Croce and James Taylor and from years of experience singing in classical and gospel choral groups.Matthews, now a veteran of the New York Music Scene, came to New York after attending college on a football scholarship. He honed his skills performing in local clubs such as the Bitter End, and CBGB's Gallery while opening for notables: Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin,
Dave van Ronk, and Pete Seeger. In addition Ansel has performed at such renowned venues as Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall. He toured South America, the South Pacific and Europe in the Gloria Gaynor band until the national release of his CD, Workings of the Heart on Palmetto Records. His music can also be heard on the prestigious Smithsonian Institute Folkway Recordings, Columbia's Postcrypt 30th Anniversary CD, along with a self released cassette The Lion and the Lamb. He promoted his music playing in festivals such as North by Northwest, South by Southwest, The Great Hudson River Revival, the Garlic Festival in addition to clubs like the Tin Angel in Philly and Club Passim in Boston. Ansel has had his songs published in the prestigious Sing Out folk magazine.Currently he has released a new CD, Raised from the Dust, produced by John Sonntag for Thunder Pumpkin Records. It contains 11 songs written by Ansel who also provides rich vocal layering for his music. Playing supportively on the CD is Gilad on percussion, Brandon Kurzawa on drums, Barry Hartglass and Dave Post on bass, Nicola Stemmer on hammond M3 organ and Jeff Mitchell on flute and sax.Don't miss a chance to see and hear this exciting and eclectic performer! Checkout his website at www.anselmatthews.com for more information. For internet purchase of "Raised from the Dust" go to cdbaby.com/ansel, itunes and amazon.com.
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