“I worked as a drummer in Los Angeles for fifteen years -- and I was never once asked to play a drum solo,” is often the standard opening line whenever Matt performs as a clinician for Bosphorus Cymbals. “Instead, the songwriters I worked with handed me records and asked me to ‘try and sound like’ Levon Helm, Jim Keltner, Roger Hawkins, Pete Thomas, Gary Mallaber, Jim Gordon, Charlie Watts, Earl Palmer, Al Jackson Jr., and Ringo. I’m so lucky no one ever asked me to play a drum solo.”

Now living in Nashville, TN, and Los Angeles from 1996-2010, Matt has recorded and performed with:

Maria McKee Mink Stole Blondie Chaplin Gina Villalobos

Viktor Krauss Nicholas Tremulis Duane Jarvis Abby Travis

Jesse DeNatale Andy Prieboy Delaney Bramlett Tony Kaye

Rob Kendt Paula Kelley Kristian Hoffman Matt Fish

In 2004, he produced Rob Kendt's critically acclaimed CD “I’m Not Sentimental” and the debut CD from LA band Hail The Size, “I Can’t Die In LA” featuring former Lone Justice singer, Maria McKee, in 2008. Vintage Guitar Magazine declared it “one of the best albums of the year.”

Growing up in Champaign, Illinois; the Midwest college town once nicknamed “Little Nashville” by Rolling Stone Magazine, Matt took full advantage of the city’s odd mix of musical outlets; he was mentored by local professionals at a young age and began developing an equally odd range of styles ranging from Dixieland to Broadway to Folk to working regularly with former John Coltrane bassist, Rafael Garrett, in his early teens.

After high school, he received a percussion scholarship to attend the esteemed University of North Texas and later transferred to join John Garvey’s legendary big band at The University of Illinois where he played alongside bassist Viktor Krauss (Lyle Lovett, Bill Frisell).

Also a contributing writer for Modern Drummer Magazine, Matt maintained a busy teaching schedule in Los Angeles with a clientele of local and touring professionals. He served as an artist-in-residence at the Culver City Academy of Performing Arts and Beverly Hills High School from 2008-2010. Between 2001–2004, Matt also worked as a song consultant for licensing agencies Sugaroo Music and Media Creature Music, helping artists place their songs into major studio, independent film, and television projects.