About Me
HEY! I'm a drummer that loves to play music live and I love to record music too . . . I also love to play & watch hockey; ski the bumps; hang at the cottage, and do other fun things with my crazy family . . . . . . now on to the BIO! Matt got a relatively late start playing drums but he's been making up for it ever since. Matt started playing at the age of 18 just after he graduated from high school. He went from the frying pan into the fire by joining his brother's bar band "Bring Your Own Blues" one month later! He got into the Ottawa blues scene soon thereafter by attending most if not all of the local jams. In the years to come, he would play with almost all of the happening blues bands in Ottawa. Recording and touring with the MARTY SOBB BAND occupied much of the 90's and beyond but they are currently on indefinite hiatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt is currently a member of the Ottawa-based TONY D BAND and has been since the spring of 2001. He is also a busy freelance drummer. His latest endeavors include playing with soul-singing guitar slinging TREVOR FINLAY BAND, the acoustic bluesy, jazz-rag styled RED WOOD CENTRAL and countrifried indiepop dude ERIC VIEWEG. Matt's freelancing over the last few years has also included acousti-lectric singer-songwriter JOSHUA MORIN, rock-reggae band LOUDLOVE and ruralistas Jupiter Ray Project. He spent two years in DAVID GOGO's touring band and being one of Ottawa's "go-to guys", he has graced club and festival stages many times playing drums with artists such as Tom Wilson (Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Junkhouse), Jeff Healey, Richard Bell (Janis Joplin, The Band), Bob Kemmis, Johnnie Johnson (Chuck Berry), Shaun Verrault (WideMouthMason), Guitar Shorty, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Paul James, Paul Deslauriers, Suzie Vinnick, Andy J. Forest, and Kaz Kazanoff & the Texas Horns. While a member of the JW Jones Blues Band, he recorded and played live with the likes of Gene Taylor and Kim Wilson, both members of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Being pretty heavily entrenched in the blues scene, Matt has had the great pleasure of jamming with many inspiring artists including Colin Linden, Anders Osborne, Otis Grand, Eric Webster (Colin James), Dawn Tyler Watson, Ricky Paquette, Roxanne Potvin, Rick Fines, Garrett Mason, Southside Steve Marriner, Harry Manx, Jimmy Bowskill, Sue Foley, Elmer Ferrer and Philip Sayce (Melissa Etheridge). In 2003, Matt was hired to play some live beats for CHOCLAIR in his portion of the Ottawa show on the nationally touring Bluebird North songwriters showcase. After his set, Matt was invited to stay on stage and finished out the show in grand style backing a jam with all of the musicians featured including Sarah Slean, Neil Osborne of 54/40, Blair Packham, Damhnait Doyle, Shari Ulrich & Arlene Bishop. Matt has played with many more musicians (too many more to mention) in all styles - rock, blues, swing, funk, pop, Celtic, country, reggae - you name it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Check out Matt's grooves on the critically acclaimed release from the JW Jones Blues Band - Bogart's Bounce on Northern Blues Music and the latest offering from The Tony D Band entitled The Jook Joint. Also keep your eyes peeled for Eric Vieweg's July 2006 release "The Silver Lining" that received a 4.5/5 star rating from the Ottawa Xpress (it mentions Matt's "lap-tapping percussion!") . . . . . . . . . . With 15 years of live touring and recording experience including appearances at all types of venues from stadiums to festivals to concert halls to clubs, Matt is ready for anything that comes his way. Matt's professional, compatible and easy-going personality allows him to work enthusiastically and productively with many bands and artists. A solid yet tasteful approach is what he employs and what employs him! A genuine love to play music has provided him with the opportunity to enjoy many memorable musical experiences. With continued hard work and some luck, the future should prove to hold many more . . . Matt proudly endorses LOS CABOS drumsticks!
