Home » Jazz Musicians » Matt Witek

Matt Witek

Originally from upstate New York, Matt Witek is a Los Angeles-based drummer. After graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2009, Witek furthered his studies by moving to Los Angeles to study under the tutelage of world-renown drummer Jeff Hamilton. Along with Hamilton’s mentorship, Matt completed a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies on full scholarship at California State University Long Beach in 2012. Matt’s musical approach to drums has caught the attention of today’s most prolific musicians. He has toured with the John Pizzarelli Quartet, Graham Dechter Quartet, Larry Fuller Trio, Katie Thiroux Quartet and worked with several artists that include John Clayton, Ben Wolfe, James Morrison, Ken Peplowski, Ralph Moore, Scott Hamilton, Harry Allen, Bucky Pizzarelli, Larry Koonse, Anthony Wilson, Tony Monaco, Tamir Hendelman, Bill Cunliffe, Mikan Zlatkovich. He has performed throughout North America, South America and Europe. Performance highlights include The Jazz Cruise, Marian's Jazz Room, The Allen Room, Earshot Jazz Festival, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Sculler’s Jazz Club, Newport Beach Jazz Party, Catalina’s.

Tags

"Witek is a meticulous yet flexible drummer. He administers the pulse yet embellishes with small but meaningful touches: a metal brush handle scraped across the diameter of a cymbal on Frank Foster's “Shiny Stockings,” or harmonized cymbal bell taps to Miles Davis' “If I Were a Bell,” intro reveal careful attention to detail and vocabulary." —Kirk Silsbee (Jazz Critic/Author)
Primary Instrument

Drums

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Photos

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.