Another member here turned me on to your work, and I am so glad he did! I really dig your style and expect to be a big fan for the long run. You have such a nice touch and a fresh, original approach. The first time I heard you, I said to myself, I want to play like that! Hope you don't mind if I borrow a line or two. I'll always give you credit for it.
Thanks for the music and the huge shot of inspiration. Oh, and welcome aboard.
Joined: 18 Jul 2003 Posts: 122 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:19 pm Post subject:
Matt wrote:
Hi Folks,
Well, looks like it’s probably a good time for me to say Hi, introduce myself and make a post! I’ve enjoyed checking in and lurking here from time to time for quite a while now, whenever I get a chance. Quite honestly, I wasn’t expecting to find this thread, and although somewhat embarrassing for me to be hyped in Robben’s “house”, as he’s one of my favourite musicians ever, I’m sure you understand that my management was just trying to spread the word to like-minded souls and lovers of music. Suffice to say, it’s tough out there trying to make a living playing any kind of “real” music these days, especially in the UK, and especially blues. It’s that sense of community between musicians and fans alike, much like this forum has, that helps keep the music we all love alive.
I certainly wouldn’t consider myself a jazz guitarist in anyway, and nor do I aspire to be, although I love many great jazz musicians, along with the blues, soul and funk and anything else that feels good. I’m a music lover and fan first and foremost. I’m just trying to play what I feel, and what sounds good to me. Hopefully others will enjoy music the way I hear it too.
I should take this opportunity to thank Robben for his continued inspiration, not so much in copping his style or “licks”, although I’m sure I owe him for a few, but more for the qualities to be learnt from his playing - his wonderfully open approach, taste, touch, dynamics, unparalleled musicality, and passion for the instrument and music in general. That’s what I try and draw from his music. Of course I can’t speak for Robben, but to these ears he sounds, or perhaps I should say feels, like a blues guitarist. He just happens to have developed his musical vocabulary beyond that of, in my opinion, any other blues player out there in order to express himself how he needs to. It’s his unique and refined vision of his own music that makes him for me one of the greatest ever.
Hopefully I won’t sound much like Robben at all at the end of the day, otherwise I think that would be missing the point of one of the truly great aspects of his playing and influence. I do however hope that one day, maybe in another 26 years, I’ll have just a little bit of that indescribable quality that we all hear and love in Robben’s playing, which let all his notes speak with such depth, that only comes from a lifetime of understanding and dedication to the instrument.
Yeah, I hate the “who’s best” thing too, and I also dislike the “they’re soulful” thing when it’s used as an excuse for lack of ability. My favourite players all developed the required technique on their instrument, however much that may be, to express themselves fully musically, in a soulful way, and most importantly with a unique voice. Who’s better? Albert Collins or Steve Vai? To my ears both are incredible “guitarists”, but I know whose “music” I personally enjoy listening to more. But that’s just me.
Anyway, I’m sure this looks like even more of a promotional set-up now, but I just wanted to say Hi and thanks. Cheers…………..Matt Schofield
Welcome Matt!! I love your playing! Please stick around the forum. We need more great players!!!! Come to Philly some time. We'll hang.
Yes, but he plays from the heart, Scottie......
Ed
That's why I would have gone to see him
I was busting on him since there is a 1 post count and it was shameless promotion....
Scott
There are some members who shamelessly promoted themselves on the board and who now got their own discussion forum.
So why not make up a Matt Schofield forum???? Hehe Scottie
Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 886 Location: SF Bay Area
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:43 pm Post subject:
Shamelessly promoted? Is there such a thing as shamefully promoting? _________________ There are no such things as wrong notes, there's only the look on your face.
My Stuff: www.stevekirbymusic.com
There are some members who shamelessly promoted themselves on the board and who now got their own discussion forum.
So why not make up a Matt Schofield forum???? Hehe Scottie
Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 1504 Location: Methuen, MA
Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:39 pm Post subject:
Just got the Matt Schofield cd, Trio Live, and it is an outstanding live recording. Of the many cd's I've bought from recommendations and/or a few clips, this one is a gem. Matt can play and sing, and at times, he sounds very much like our man Robben. And, if you like the Hammond B3 sound, there's plenty of it. Great musicians, the 3 of them. The only downer is the cost ($25.66), having to purchase it from the UK. I'm satisfied, nonetheless.
I'm glad Matt Schofield was promoted in here, shameless, shameful, or whatever. Personally, I didn't see it as any of those. And, seeing that several of the posts from Matt's promoter, and Matt himself, were removed, I hope they weren't driven away.
I'd go see a Matt Schofield Trio show in a heartbeat. Matt, please come to Boston!
Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 249 Location: the Netherlands
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:30 am Post subject:
Hi Matt, welcome on board. Your words are directing to the main subject of this Forum: sharing the love of music. Live trio is great and I listen to it alsmost everyday. BTW: great lick on 4:16 on the track Everyday I have the blues! When you're in the Netherlands again, I surely will attend some of your shows.
Henk
Hi again, Matt's Shamefully shameless manager here.
GraemeD is absolutely right, Chelsea are playing Arsenal on 20th April. When you're trying to get into the Jazz Cafe (and at relatively short notice in order to promote Matt's upcoming new - studio - album), you don't get much choice. A choice of two dates in April or wait until......
For our American friends, Cheslea 'v' Arsenal is a football (soccer, that is) match. One of those events where 22 grown men kick a spherical plastic object back and forth for 90 minutes. Very often nothing else happens: no goals, not even a fight or two amongst the players. If you look carefully, you can actually see the grass growing under their feet.
Oh dear. First I shamelessly promote; now I annoy every soccer fan reading this forum.
By the way, "Bluesman" in an earlier post misquoted me: I didn't say "THE best you will hear (outside of Robben Ford)" I actually said "one of the best..." and I did qualify that by saying 'swinging blues and edgy funk'.
Incidentally, I only made the original posting because the title section of the Open Discussion forum says...."promote your music....whatever ya want".
Anyway, I'm glad to see that everyone has kissed and made up, and that JohnnyZ is enjoying the album. Those of you who make it to the Jazz Cafe on April 20th, come and say Hi. Matt will be the one on stage (obviously); I'll be the one lurking off stage somewhere touting CDs or frowing at the sound man.
Well I was lucky enough to be there last night at the Jazz Cafe.
Putting all former discussions on promotion and Jazz influences aside I thought it was a superb night. The trio really cooked. Probably one of the finest units I've seen live. Matt's an outstanding player and formidable British talent. I Just can't believe he's just 25/26.
I think the thing that hit me the most is his great 'feel' and sense of time all backed up with great technique. It just grabs you and sucks you right in. With my guitarist head on I started out by focusing in on his technique, tone, gear etc as we do. After the first tune I told myself 'Screw the gear and technique - just close your eyes and listen to this guy play!' - what a player, what a band.
I for one am grateful for this discussion topic. Without it I would have completley missed out on an oustanding perfomance!!
First of all – Dear “Chesterman” you were 100% right, Matt is definitely one of the best blues-funk-jazzy guitarist and most importantly wonderful musician. Now I’m shameful !!!
I’ll agree with Woody – one of the great nights at the Jazz Café. Great band and what a wonderful guest musicians, what a show !!!.
Thanks Matt and Richard for the most enjoyable evening.
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