Matthew Stevens (born 1982) is a Canadian jazz guitarist and composer.
Biography Stevens was born on 8 January 1982 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and studied piano and guitar at a young age. Since graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2004, Stevens has established himself in the contemporary jazz scene performing and recording with numerous artists including Christian Scott, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Esperanza Spalding.
Regarded to be one of the "most exciting up-and-coming jazz guitarists" in his generation, Stevens was placed in the Rising Star Guitar Category of the 63rd Annual DownBeat Critics Poll. His performances have been esteemed by numerous publications including Down Beat, NPR, Jazz Times, Billboard, and The New York Times.
His debut album as a leader, Woodwork, received stellar reviews from critics including Down Beat, All About Jazz, and the Ottawa Citizen. LA Weekly describes the album as "an amalgamation of modern jazz and neo-fusion elements which showcase ... sonic versatility and savvy producing chops".
Stevens has toured extensively in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and South America. He is also a member of the adjunct faculty at the New School and has taught workshops at the Maryland Summer Jazz Workshop, USC, and Berklee College of Music.
Stevens currently resides in New York City, New York.
Awards and honors 2015: DownBeat magazine: The 63rd Annual DownBeat Critics Poll / Rising Star Guitar Category 2016: DownBeat magazine: “25 for the Future”
Discography
As a leader Woodwork (Whirlwind), 2015) Preverbal (Ropeadope, 2017) Pittsburgh (Whirlwind), 2021)
As a sideman YearArtistAlbumLabel2006Christian ScottRewind ThatConcord2007Christian ScottAnthemConcord2008Christian ScottLive at NewportConcord2009Walter Smith III & Mark SmallBronzeFresh Sound2010Jacky TerrassonPushConcord2010Christian ScottYesterday You Said TomorrowConcord2011Ben WilliamsState of ArtConcord2011Sean JonesNo Need for WordsMack Avenue2012ERIMAJConflict of a ManDon't Cry2012Christian Scott aTunde AdjuahChristian aTunde AdjuahConcord2013NEXT CollectiveCover ArtConcord2013Chris TurnerLovelife Is a ChallengeLove Child2013Chet DoxasDiveAddo2013Leron ThomasWhateverIndependent2014Harvey MasonChameleonConcord2014Walter Smith IIIStill CasualIndependent2015Justin KauflinDedicationQwest2015Michael OienAnd NowFresh Sound2015Ben WilliamsComing of AgeConcord Jazz2015Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah Stretch MusicRopeadope2016Esperanza SpaldingEmily's D+EvolutionConcord2017Christian Scott aTunde AdjuahThe Emancipation ProcrastinationRopeadope2017Esperanza SpaldingExposureConcord2017Linda May Han OhWalk Against WindBiophilia Records2018Esperanza Spalding12 Little SpellsConcord2019Terri Lyne Carrington & Social ScienceThe Waiting GameMotéma2021Esperanza SpaldingSongwrights Apothecary LabConcord2022Terri Lyne CarringtonNew Standards Vol 1Candid2023Walter Smith IIIReturn to CasualBlue Note2024Esperanza SpaldingMilton + esperanzaConcord
References
External links
Official site