Matthew Stevens
In addition to his critically acclaimed solo albums, Woodwork, Preverbal, Pittsburgh and In Common 1, 2 and 3 with Walter Smith III, Stevens’ songs and guitar playing are featured on over 70 albums including those by artists Christian Scott atunde Adjuah, Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington, Dave Douglas, Anna B Savage, Jamire Williams, Sean Jones, Linda May Han Oh, Harvey Mason, and Jany Green.
Stevens has worked as a guitarist with producers Quincy Jones, Glen Ballard and Tony Visconti. As a producer, he worked on Esperanza Spalding’s albums Exposure and the Grammy winning 12 Little Spells and on Terri Lyne Carrington’s Grammy nominated album Waiting Game, which featured guests such as Lalah Hathaway, Andrew Bird, Robert Glasper, Rapsody, Maimouna Youssef, Meshell Ndegeocello, Malcolm Jamal Warner, and Kokayi.
He lives in Harlem NY and is a Professor of Jazz Studies at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD.
Tags
Stevens weaves rectangular guitar mazes both melodic and modern at the same time. - NPR
A young player already smart enough to use his chops selectively, with purpose. - JAZZ TIMES
He (Stevens) may be cerebral in the clear consideration going into every note, every chord; but, with an impassioned sense of commitment, his solos built with a burning combination of inevitability and sheer unpredictability. - John Kelman, All About Jazz