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 From left to right:Andre De Santana, Matt Roberts and Teddy Edwards . |
The Matt Roberts Quartet The Matt Roberts Quartet is a group of very young, talented, JAZZ musicians, each offering his own special musical approach, while at the same time keeping hold of the strong ensemble spirit that distinguishes these precocious teenagers as accomplished artists. Blending old school smooth with the fire of fusion, samba, blues, rock, fusion and funk, Matt Roberts proves he is indeed a fine soloist and composer, and the other members of the group easily fall into Matts poetic, or frantic, grooves like seasoned performers. The Matt Roberts Quartet combines the old and new, fast and mellow, standards and original into an earful of soulful, melodic, energetic excursions into the future of american jazz. Matt's young group represents a peek into the past, as well as the musical possibilities for the future. LISTEN & Watch this group! |
 Andre De Santana (left) and Matt Roberts (right). |
Members of the Matt Roberts Quartet Matt Roberts is the oldest of the group at nineteen. He is a jazz guitarist and composer and has recently graduated from Van Nuys High's Performing Arts Magnet school and is currently is a music major at Cal State Northridge, a university long acknowledged for their fine classical and jazz cirricula. He performs in the "A" Jazz Ensemble and "A" Combo. Recent awards for Matt include: The Sunny Brown Scholarship, The Dolo Coker Jazz Scholarship, Bank of America Music Award, and a scholarship the The Berklee College of Music, and others. Recent Performances include: Berklee College of Music, The Odyssey, Roxy, Bonaventure Hotel, Cobalt Cafe and many events and concerts. When time allows, Matt gives private guitar lessons. Mahesh Balasooriya is a seventeen year old pianist currently attending Hamilton high school's Music Academy. He plays in the "A" Jazz Band and "A" Jazz Combo. Awards include: Spotlight 2000 Awards; "Best Soloist", Fullerton Jazz Festival; $5000 Grant from Hamilton High to pursue his music career. Recent Performances include: The Jazz Bakery, Catalina's, Paramount Studios, The Biltmore Hotel, KCET, The Marriot Hotel with John Clayton's "Band of 2000" as well as for President Clinton at Democratic National Convention. Andre De Santana is a eighteen year old bassist who currently atends Van Nuys High School's Performing Arts Magnet where he is a member of the Jazz Band and Sinfonietta. Proficient on both electric and upright bass, his Brazilian background adds a special flavor to his already substantial talent. Recent Performances include: The Greek Theatre with "Berklee in L.A. All-Stars." Clubs include: Common Grounds, Roxy, Cobalt Cafe, as well as various restaurants and parties. He has played with jazz artists such as Eric Marienthal and Bill Watrus. Jared Schonig is a eighteen year old drummer and member of the "A" Big Band and Combo at Hamilton High's Music Academy. With an extensive background in piano as well as drums, Jared's well tuned melodic sensibilities do not go unused, as his intense, skillful and sensitive rhythm keeping glide and breathe with the flow of the soloist or the ensemble. Recent Performances include: The Greek Theatre w/ "Berklee in L.A. All-Stars"; The 2000 Latin Jaz Festival; Clubs include: The Jazz Bakery, Catalina's and various hotels and restaurants. Jared has played with, or been under the direction of jazz artists Victor Mendoza, Bobby Rodriquez and Eric Marienthal. |