“The real deal...a superstar in the making...destined to become a household name” — these are a few of the remarkable endorsements echoing from radio hosts across the country for MATT FORBES. Bringing a bold, new sound to 'vintage pop', Matt is being hailed as the freshest voice to hit the genre in more than a decade.
Upon releasing his debut full-length LP in October 2015 titled 'Coulda Woulda Shoulda', Matt has received widespread acclaim and has been featured on E! News, CTV's eTALK and The Marilyn Denis Show. The album has also been featured in HELLO! Canada as a Critic's Pick and on The Huffington Post. Bringing a hip, youthful approach to these pop standards, 'Coulda Woulda Shoulda' evokes the immediacy, sophistication and excitement of those classic pop albums of yesteryear — all while giving audiences a fresh contemporary sound that's all his own. Matt’s soulful vocals and unmistakable sound are wowing the “millennials” of his own generation with songs made popular decades before they were born.
'Coulda Woulda Shoulda' was recorded at the historic Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California, and features original arrangements by acclaimed London-based composer and arranger Callum Au, whose recent work includes arranging for the BBC Big Band and Grammy® nominee Jamie Cullum. Matt also enlisted the industry’s top session musicians to join him on the recording – including the legendary Gene “Cip” Cipriano (the most recorded woodwind player in the history of recorded music) Carl Saunders, Steve Hughes, Alan Steinberger, Ken Wild, Jake Reed, John Chiodini and Doug Webb.
Matt laid a powerful foundation for 'Coulda Woulda Shoulda' with his recent 2014 debut EP, the holiday themed 'The Twelve Minutes of Christmas'. The four track set received widespread critical acclaim and airplay across the U.S., Canada and the UK, where it was featured prominently on programs for CBS Radio, CBC Radio and BBC Radio 2.
A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Matt made Los Angeles his home in 2011. He and his band have headlined L.A.’s top jazz venues, including Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill, Jazz, Etc. and Catalina Jazz Club. Matt also regularly fronts composer Ron Jones’ (“Family Guy,” “American Dad”) acclaimed Influence Jazz Orchestra as their featured vocalist — with whom he has opened for the group’s original lead vocalist, Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy,” “Ted”). Most recently, Matt headlined the Royal Conservatory of Music's 'Sinatra @ 100' celebration at Koerner Hall in Toronto, Canada, led by Canadian jazz legend and Order of Canada recipient, Joe Sealy, which also featured Tony Award winner, Brent Carver, Jackie Richardson and Barbra Lica.
"From the very first note, I loved this CD. This guy is a giant superstar! Backed
by a sensational band. And Forbes not only has ‘The Voice’, but the phrasing
that reminds you of every deep love you’ve had, every dark night parked with your
favorite love while listening to the radio. This guy has the vocal power, the gift and
the whim. It’s difficult to pick a “best” tune. Without question, he gets into your
heart with the familiar “Beyond the Sea,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and “Once Upon
a Time.” Guess I’d pick “Some of These Days.” This tune has that big band swing
touch going for it. I’ve always loved the tune “Something Stupid” and I don’t think
I’ve ever heard it better than by Matt Forbes… I'm totally impressed." —
Claude Hall, Former Radio & TV Editor,
Billboard Magazine
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"
From the very first note, I loved this CD. This guy is a giant superstar! Backed
by a sensational band. And Forbes not only has ‘The Voice’, but the phrasing
that reminds you of every deep love you’ve had, every dark night parked with your
favorite love while listening to the radio. This guy has the vocal power, the gift and
the whim. It’s difficult to pick a “best” tune. Without question, he gets into your
heart with the familiar “Beyond the Sea,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and “Once Upon
a Time.” Guess I’d pick “Some of These Days.” This tune has that big band swing
touch going for it. I’ve always loved the tune “Something Stupid” and I don’t think
I’ve ever heard it better than by Matt Forbes… I'm totally impressed." —
Claude Hall, Former Radio & TV Editor,
Billboard Magazine
"Matt Forbes is an exciting and poignant jazz singer who understands
the importance of turning a phrase with dynamics, soul, and originality. I
prefer his style to some of the more pop-based jazz crooners like Jamie Cullum.
Forbes' sound is more sincere and pure. It is also obvious that he understands
the lyrics to these timeless standards which sets him apart from a countless number
of vocalists who try to tackle these chestnuts without delving into the lyrics and
theme of each composition. The band swings hard too. The thoughtful and
tasteful backing of the band accentuates Forbes' phrasing perfectly. I am sure that
Forbes has a very bright future ahead of him. This is a terrific album for all music
lovers alike.” — Devon Wendell, The International Review of
Music
"I have been in programming and station management for more than 50 years.
I listen to a lot of product — sadly, some of it is not very good. What a
pleasant surprise when I listened to [Coulda Woulda Shoulda]. Matt Forbes is
good. And I mean REALLY good. Do not compare him to Sinatra or Buble. Matt
has his own special style that is great in its own way. It is an understatement to
say that his style is unique and refreshing — it is all those things and I expect that in
time to come, he will be recognized for a compelling style which the Great American
Songbook needs as we move into this new century." — Saul
Levine, Owner & Program Director for KJAZZ 88.1 FM, America's Jazz &
Blues Station (Los Angeles)
“Swing is still the thing on [Coulda Woulda Shoulda], and nothing sounds re-
hashed or nostalgic here. It’s as hot and piping as rolls at Pat’s Steak House in
Philly. Is Matt Forbes a poser? Well, he’s definitely posing in a sharkskin suit on a
bunch of pictures on this album with a hip band, but unlike Mike Bubbles (TOTAL
POSER!) this guy sounds like his own man. He’s got a relaxed baritone not
unlike Dean Martin with an irresistible hands in the pockets behind the beat
unrushed feel. He’s got a wink in the eye on the slinky “Witchcraft” and with
the sax-y reed section breathes new life into “Beyond the Sea” while he teams with
Steve Hughes’ trombone on a nifty “The Good Life.” Most intriguing of ideas is
where he staggers and swaggers on a sepia toned “Gloomy Sunday” instead of the
normal desultory read, with Doug Webb’s tenor searing under the light on the street
corner. Just as fun is a cozy duet with Adrian Mustain and a classical guitar on
“Somethin’ Stupid” as well as a Bohemian styled “Que rest-t-il de Nos Amours”… This
guy’s got the deliver and the ‘tude!” — George W. Harris,
JazzWeekly.com
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