Matt Finley
Encyclopedia
Matt Finley is an American flugelhorn
player and composer of Brazilian jazz
.
Finley grew up performing in resorts in Bolton Landing and Lake George (New York)
, graduated from Phillips Academy
and Union College
where he studied composition with Edgar Curtis, Director of the Albany Symphony Orchestra
. After obtaining a master's degree from the College of Saint Rose, he performed for seven years with Grammy Award
-winning baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola
. A multi-instrumentalist, Matt performs on flugelhorn, trumpet, soprano sax and flute. He is a retired professor of computer information systems and was academic dean at Dutchess Community College
in Poughkeepsie, New York, where he earned the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service granted by the State University of New York
.
He has been a member of the American Federation of Musicians
since 1972, and is the leader of Rio JAZZ, a Brazilian jazz concert sextet formed in 1988. Matt has performed with Nick Brignola
, Kenny Blake, Brad Upton
, Dave Holland
, Glen Moore
, Joel Rosenblatt, Mark Egan
, Pete Levin, Terry Silverlight
and many others. He is married to songer/songwriter Denise Jordan Finley and lives in Pine Plains
, NY and Bolton Landing, NY.
As a sideman and arranger:
Flugelhorn
The flugelhorn is a brass instrument resembling a trumpet but with a wider, conical bore. Some consider it to be a member of the saxhorn family developed by Adolphe Sax ; however, other historians assert that it derives from the valve bugle designed by Michael Saurle , Munich 1832 , thus...
player and composer of Brazilian jazz
Brazilian jazz
Brazilian Jazz may refer to:*Bossa nova*Samba jazz like Zimbo Trio and other Bossa Nova and samba influenced jazz bands.*Brazilian influenced forms of Jazz fusion....
.
Finley grew up performing in resorts in Bolton Landing and Lake George (New York)
Lake George (New York)
Lake George, nicknamed the Queen of American Lakes, is a long, narrow oligotrophic lake draining northwards into Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River Drainage basin located at the southeast base of the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York, U.S.A.. It lies within the upper region of the...
, graduated from Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy is a selective, co-educational independent boarding high school for boarding and day students in grades 9–12, along with a post-graduate year...
and Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
where he studied composition with Edgar Curtis, Director of the Albany Symphony Orchestra
Albany Symphony Orchestra
The Albany Symphony Orchestra is a professional symphony orchestra based in Albany, New York. The upcoming season will mark the orchestra's 78th....
. After obtaining a master's degree from the College of Saint Rose, he performed for seven years with Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola
Nick Brignola
-Biography:He was born on July 17, 1936 in Troy, New York. Nick was born into a musical family in which his father played the tuba and his uncle played the banjo. As a mostly self-taught musician, he developed his facility on all of his instruments using unconventional techniques, which gave his...
. A multi-instrumentalist, Matt performs on flugelhorn, trumpet, soprano sax and flute. He is a retired professor of computer information systems and was academic dean at Dutchess Community College
Dutchess Community College
Dutchess Community College is one of 30 community colleges within the State University of New York system . The College, located in Dutchess County, is situated on on a hill above Poughkeepsie, New York...
in Poughkeepsie, New York, where he earned the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service granted by the State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
.
He has been a member of the American Federation of Musicians
American Federation of Musicians
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada is a labor union of professional musicians in the United States and Canada...
since 1972, and is the leader of Rio JAZZ, a Brazilian jazz concert sextet formed in 1988. Matt has performed with Nick Brignola
Nick Brignola
-Biography:He was born on July 17, 1936 in Troy, New York. Nick was born into a musical family in which his father played the tuba and his uncle played the banjo. As a mostly self-taught musician, he developed his facility on all of his instruments using unconventional techniques, which gave his...
, Kenny Blake, Brad Upton
Brad Upton
Brad Upton is a trumpet player and jazz musician born in 1952 .He played jazz trumpet, wrote and arranged for Lionel Hampton, Chet Baker, Bob Mover Quintet, Tito Puente.- Discography :*1999 - Black Orchid...
, Dave Holland
Dave Holland
Dave Holland is an English jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader who has been performing and recording for five decades. He has lived in the United States for 40 years....
, Glen Moore
Glen Moore
Glen Moore is a jazz bassist who occasionally performs on piano, flute and violin.His performing career began at age 14 with the Young Oregonians in Portland, Oregon where he met and played with Native American saxophonist, Jim Pepper. He graduated with a degree in History and Literature from the...
, Joel Rosenblatt, Mark Egan
Mark Egan
Mark Egan is an American jazz bass guitarist and trumpeter, arguably best known for his membership in the Pat Metheny Group from 1977 to 1980, and the Gil Evans Orchestra...
, Pete Levin, Terry Silverlight
Terry Silverlight
Terry Silverlight is a jazz, pop, rock and R&B drummer, composer, producer, arranger and author.Silverlight was born in Newark, New Jersey and grew up in North Plainfield, New Jersey. He made his debut as a drummer on Barry Miles 's White Heat album, recorded in 1971 when Silverlight was fourteen...
and many others. He is married to songer/songwriter Denise Jordan Finley and lives in Pine Plains
Pine Plains (town), New York
Pine Plains is a town in Dutchess County, New York, USA. The population was 2,569 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from the geographic character of the region.The Hamlet of Pine Plains is on the north border of the county.-History:...
, NY and Bolton Landing, NY.
Discography
As a leader and composer:- 'Brazilian Wish' (Kingsmill Music, 2006) with Romero LubamboRomero LubamboRomero Lubambo is a Brazilian jazz guitar player.Romero Lubambo started learning classic piano at a very early age...
, Warren BernhardtWarren BernhardtWarren Bernhardt is a noted pianist in jazz, pop and classical music.His father was a pianist, leading him to have early childhood exposure to piano, and he learned some rudiments of keyboarding from his friends. At five his parents moved to New York City where he began studying seriously under...
, Mark EganMark EganMark Egan is an American jazz bass guitarist and trumpeter, arguably best known for his membership in the Pat Metheny Group from 1977 to 1980, and the Gil Evans Orchestra...
, Joel Rosenblatt, David FinckDavid FinckDavid E. Finck is an American jazz bassist. He plays both bass guitar and double bass.Finck was born in Rochester, New York. He studied under Sam Goradetzer and Michael Shahan of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and graduated from Eastman School of Music in 1980...
, Jon Werking, Jeff Ciampa, David Mann, Jeff Siegel, Tomas Martin Lopez, Dan Levine, Barry Danielian.
As a sideman and arranger:
- 'On the Beat Path' (Bongotoms Music, 2010) with Bill O'ConnellBill O'ConnellBill O'Connell is a jazz pianist and bandleader. He is most associated with Latin jazz and also hard bop. He studied piano at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, but has mostly lived in NYC or Long Island. He worked for Chet Baker and Sonny Rollins at early stages in his career...
, Tomas Martin Lopez, Ruben Rodriguez, Joel Rosenblatt, Jimmy Branly, Ivan Renta, Bill McBirnieBill McBirnieBill McBirnie is a jazz and Latin flutist from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Bill studied with renowned American flutist, Samuel Baron, Canadian flutist and composer, Robert Aitken, as well as Cuban charanga legend, Richard Egues...
. Matt composed eight of the twelve compositions.
- 'Solstice' (Dome Island Publishing, 2010) with Denise Jordan Finley, Daniel Pagdon, Danny GottliebDanny GottliebDanny Gottlieb is a freelance drummer who has performed as part of the Pat Metheny Group and Mahavishnu Orchestra. He is also a member of the University of North Florida jazz faculty, where he teaches as a fulltime Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies.- Biography :Danny graduated from the...
, Clifford CarterClifford CarterClifford Carter is an American keyboardist.Carter is known for his performances with such artists as James Taylor, Michael Franks, and Herbie Mann and as a member of the groups Elements, Grace Pool, and the 24th Street Band....
- 'Eyes on the Horizon' (Barbara Martin Music, 2010) with Barbara Martin, Robert Redd, Steve Wolf, Chuck ReddChuck ReddChuck Redd is an American drummer and vibraphonist. Chuck joined the Charlie Byrd Trio in 1980 at the age of 21. The same year, he joined the Great Guitars Chuck has done twelve European tours and five tours of Japan, with the Barney Kessel Trio, Ken Peplowski, Terry Gibbs and Conte...
- 'The Way Back Home' (Music Without Walls Productions, 2009) with Sharon Klein, Ross Rice, Ken Veltz, Glen VelezGlen VelezGlen Velez is an American percussionist, vocalist, and composer, specializing in frame drums from around the world. He is largely responsible for the increasing popularity of frame drums in the United States and around the world....
, Karl Alweiler, Brian Mellick, Mark Dann
- 'Hauntress' (Dome Island Publishing, 2007) with Denise Jordan Finley, Daniel Pagdon