AikiMusic - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Matt B was born in the fast-pace metropolitan thrum of northern California. Having lost his eyes to cancer before the age of two, the young blind boy began indulging his other senses. He began banging on the piano at the age of three, and the banging would continue unabated until age fifteen when he picked up a friend's guitar for the first time. He begged his mother to use her guitar that had lain dormant in her closet for ten years and to get lessons. His request was granted and a life-long love was born. Matt B began studying under esteemed finger-picker Neil Hogan. Shortly after, an obsession with shred inspired him to begin studying with MI grad Stef Bedeson. Wanting to take music more seriously, he decided to pursue a formal degree. This began with some on-and-off studies with Rob Felps at Williams College. After transferring out of Williams after two years, he continued studying with Monterey Jazzer Charlie Dewece, classical teacher Ben Zussman, and the late Guy Horn, who inspired him to move to southern California. There, he began studying with the world-recognized David Grimes and his colleague Richard Turner for his classical education. He has also studied with local Jazz great Ron Eschete. Matt B has played, recorded, and performed with bands such as Horous Torous, figure 8, Stoneking and the Grievous Angels, The BBC Band, Leaving Orbit, and Amber Plaster's Varity. He is available for lessons, session playing, and gigs, be they rock of any style, jazz, or classical.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 25/01/2006
Influences: Steve Morse, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Ron Eschete, Wes Montgommery, Miles Davis, Van Halen, Muse, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Audioslave, Metallica, Phil Keagey, Manuel Barrueco, Pat Metheny, Vora Vor, STP, Velvet Revolver, Charlie Parcker, etc.
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

Movement!

As many of you know, I have been as busy as a squirrel before hibernation for the last good while. I have been working behind the scenes with several projects and playing openly with others. At the ...
Posted by on Mon, 02 Apr 2007 02:59:00 GMT

Thinking again.

Why is the sound of a far-off train the most lonely sound in the world? It seems to be universal, everyone feeling an ache of loss in their chest when, somewhere miles away, a whistle blows. Is it r...
Posted by on Sat, 27 Jan 2007 22:12:00 GMT

New song up!

Well, the year is wrapping up faster than I can wrap the presents that I've most recently bought. So much good has come about this year. Gigs have been picking up and lessons have gotten off the gro...
Posted by on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 23:34:00 GMT

Pietra.

Wherever you are, I hope that you're having a lovely evening. I hope that our paths cross again, preferably soon. Thanks for making me feel special.
Posted by on Sat, 21 Oct 2006 20:53:00 GMT

Memories.

I'm walking my dog down busy Collins,I cross a sidestreet.Suddenly smelling Juniper,It smells like three of us playing horsesThe bushes were beforeWe're gallopping thunderously through the houseTurnin...
Posted by on Wed, 10 May 2006 21:19:00 GMT

Thinking about last Spring.

As I type this, I wonder what the big deal is to me about posting this. This experience took place almost a year ago, but I still marvel a bit when I think about it. I'm not sure why I keep sharing ...
Posted by on Tue, 21 Feb 2006 14:29:00 GMT

Rain-washed Sunday!

There's nothing quite like going outside after a night of rain when the sun is out. I can feel the sparkle of the droplets that are clinging to the trees, the fences, the houses... The smell is incr...
Posted by on Sun, 19 Feb 2006 12:55:00 GMT

Happy Singles Awareness Day!

I have been advised by a friend of the true meaning of February 14. I would like to wish all the the good people of the world a happy Singles Awareness Day. Yee Hah!
Posted by on Tue, 14 Feb 2006 13:34:00 GMT

Musing on the gig coming up.

So, I hope a bunch of girls come and make out with each other on the dance floor at the gig. Why is that awesome? Angles being swallowed by curves are awesome, especially when I'm the set of angles....
Posted by on Tue, 07 Feb 2006 16:31:00 GMT

Unannounced gigs.

Wow, this blog thing is a pain in a blind man's ass! So many options that mean nothing to me. So I forgot to announce the show with Edson last nigt. I admit that I was very worried about the ...
Posted by on Sun, 05 Feb 2006 10:40:00 GMT