Faculty

Profile

Few musicians embody the spontaneous energy of jazz quite like Matt Wilson. The New York-based drummer combines buoyant zeal, idiosyncratic style, infectious humor, joyous swing, and an indomitable spirit of surprise, making him one of the most in demand players and educators on the modern jazz scene. His leads an array distinctive ensembles - the Matt Wilson Quartet, Arts & Crafts, Christmas Tree-O, Topsy Turvy and Big Happy Family. Wilson’s 13th recording as a leader for Palmetto, Honey and Salt (Music Inspired by the Poetry of Carl Sandburg) was released in August 2017 and received a 5 Star review in DownBeat magazine. Wilson’s impressive discography numbers more than 410 CDs, including releases by his co-led trios Sifter and Trio M and sideman recordings with such greats as Dewey Redman, Paul Bley, Charlie Haden, and Lee Konitz. He’s topped the “Rising Star Drummer” category in DownBeat’s Critics’ Poll for five consecutive years and has been voted Drummer of the Year in 2003 and 2011 by the Jazz Journalists Association, among numerous other accolades. As an educator, he’s led workshops and master classes around the world and is on the faculty, in addition to the New School, SUNY Purchase, San Fransisco Conservatory and the Prins Claus Conservatory in Holland. 

Degrees Held

BM Wichita State University 1986