STS / The Mattson 2, Episode 3

In this series of So To Speak we focus on The Mattson 2, a twin brother guitar and drums jazz duo from San Diego.  Like most young musicians today their interests span a wide spectrum.  Their playing can go from traditional jazz to avant-garde serialism.  Jared Mattson plays electric guitar while brother Jonathan provides the rhythmic foundation on the drum kit.

While they have strong connection to the surf and skate community through their  collaborations  with artist/filmmaker Thomas Campbell and musical collaborations with Ray Barbee and Tommy Guerrero they explore territory outside of that world by listening to many different genres and playing  experimental and improvised musics.

In this episode they talk about preparing and playing Workers Union(1975) by Dutch composer, Louis Andriessen and how they hope it will be received by an audience not accustomed to hearing a piece so indeterminate.

For more info about The Mattson 2 go to:
mattson2.com
galaxiarecords.com

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STS / The Mattson 2, Episode 2

In this series of So To Speak we focus on The Mattson 2, a twin brother guitar and drums jazz duo from San Diego.  Like most young musicians today their interests span a wide spectrum.  Their playing can go from traditional jazz to avant-garde serialism.  Jared Mattson plays electric guitar while brother Jonathan provides the rhythmic foundation on the drum kit.

While they have strong connection to the surf and skate community through their  collaborations  with artist/filmmaker Thomas Campbell and musical collaborations with Ray Barbee and Tommy Guerrero they explore territory outside of that world by listening to many different genres and playing  experimental and improvised musics.

In this episode Jared talks about his approach to playing guitar and little bit about gear.

For more info about The Mattson 2 go to:
mattson2.com
galaxiarecords.com

STS / The Mattson 2, Episode 1

In this series of So To Speak we focus on The Mattson 2, a twin brother guitar and drums jazz duo from San Diego.  Like most young musicians today their interests span a wide spectrum.  Their playing can go from traditional jazz to avant-garde serialism.  Jared Mattson plays electric guitar while brother Jonathan provides the rhythmic foundation on the drum kit.

While they have strong connection to the surf and skate community through their  collaborations  with artist/filmmaker Thomas Campbell and musical collaborations with Ray Barbee and Tommy Guerrero they explore territory outside of that world by listening to many different genres and playing  experimental and improvised musics.

In this episode Jonathan talks about finding his voice in the drum kit.

For more info about The Mattson 2 go to:
mattson2.com
galaxiarecords.com

So To Speak, Episode 5 – The Sonic Science of Jeff Parker

Scott Amendola is a drummer and composer. His latest record LIFT is a trio project with Jeff Parker on guitar and John Shiflett on bass.

Scott and Jeff Parker have known each other since their days at Berklee Music School. In this episode Scott talks about what its like to work with Jeff and how he he got Nels Cline and Jeff to meet.

For more about Scott – scottamendola.com
For more about Jeff – jeffparkersounds.com

So To Speak, Episode 4 – Tuned in Fourths

Scott Amendola is a drummer and composer. His latest record LIFT is a trio project with Jeff Parker on guitar and John Shiflett on bass.

The bass has a noble place in music. Its often seen, merely, as support for the more upfront characters on stage. Scott talks about John Shiflett’s ability to fulfill that purpose while asserting his own personality and agenda in a tune. Mr. Shiflett is both the Tin Man and the Scarecrow, all in one.

For more about Scott – scottamendola.com

Wisdom from the in between song banter…

‎”If it always sounded the same there would be no reason to play.”

– John Abercrombie at Yoshi’s Oakland after the first tune(“Class Trip”) earlier tonight. Also on the stage – Joey Baron, Thomas Morgan, and Mark Feldman.

In Ink – Steve Turre for Jazz Times

Years ago I was shooting stills for a documentary about musicians. That project was never finished but I got some great material out of it. Jazz Times picked up some stock for a story. Steve Turre is a gifted music maker – on both the trombone and conch shells.

A link to the Jazz Times story here

Video of Mr. Turre playing the conch shells on Night Music(David Sanborn’s old NBC show)