Mat Jodrell

Trumpeter Mat Jodrell is one of the most exciting voices in Jazz today. He has recently returned to Australia after having lived in New York City for the past eight years, performing around the city and teaching at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music.

During his time in the States, Mat was a regular member of many ensembles, all of whom he has recorded with. They include Miguel Zenon’s ‘Identities’ Ensemble, Ryan Truesdell’s Gil Evans Project (both Grammy nominated in 2016), Lucas Pino’s No Net Nonet, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Miho Hazama’s M-Unit, Kenny Werner’s ‘No Beginning, No End’, Pedro Giraudo’s Expansions Ensemble, Jon Batiste Band, the Birdland Big Band, the Bill Mobley big band, the Dan Jamieson big band and many others.

Since re-locating to the US Mat has had the opportunity to perform with the likes of Benny Golson, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis, Buster Williams, Hubert Laws, Maria Schneider Orchestra, the Mingus Big Band, James Spaulding, Carl Allen, Terri-Lyn Carrington, Bill Watrous, Gary Bartz, Terence Blanchard, Darcy James Argue, Josh Roseman to name but a few. Between 2008 and 2012 Mat has performed regularly on Broadway with the shows ‘Hair’ and ‘After Midnight’ and continues to work with legendary singer Paul Anka with whom he has toured throughout Europe, Russia, Asia, South America and the Middle East.

He has performed in many of the world’s most famous jazz clubs in New York City including the Vanguard, Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Birdland, Smoke, Smalls, Zinc and the Iridium, as well as touring to many of the largest festivals including the Newport Jazz Festival, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the Detroit Jazz Festival and many others.

Mat completed his Masters of Music and Artist Diploma from the Juilliard School of Music, and was on faculty from 2011-2015. He continues to tour the world as leader, sideman and guest soloist. Recent tours have included a three week residency at the Dizzy’s Jazz Club in Doha, Qatar and guest soloist with the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra.

As part of the Juilliard Artist Diploma ensemble, Matthew recorded an album of original music with trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, performed a concert with the legendary Ron Carter, recorded live on WBGO twice, and traveled to Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Australia and throughout the US.

Since 2015 Mat has taught at the newly formed James Morrison Academy of Music located in Mount Gambier, South Australia. He lectures in Improvisation, Big Band, Small Ensemble, Arranging and Principal Study.

Originally born in Perth, Western Australia, Mat began playing the trumpet at age 10. His rise to prominence happened relatively quickly, and was accepted into the Bachelor of Music degree at the Western Australian Conservatorium of Music at the age of 16. He graduated in 2000, winning the Bob Wyllie Scholarship for best graduating student.

Selected as one of five Jazz winners from around the world in the IAJE/NFAA (National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts) in 1996, he received the title of a Clifford Brown/Stan Getz Fellow. Along with the four other finalists Matthew performed in Miami and then to an audience of 8,000 at the IAJE conference in Chicago.

In 1997 at the age of 16, Matthew became the first Australian student to be invited to perform at the hallowed venue of Carnegie Hall in New York. He performed alongside Carlos Henriques, Marcus Strickland, Sam Sadigursky, Justin Kisor, Terri-Lyn Carrington on drums and James Williams on piano. This opened the week long JVC Jazz Festival in New York City.

In 1998 Matthew won the James Morrison Scholarship, the Young Australian of the Year for WA, and participated in the Australian National Academy of Music program.

In 2003 Matthew was commissioned by the Perth Jazz Society to compose a 40-minute work featuring Australian Jazz legend Allan Browne. Later that year Matthew flew to Sydney to record the CD 'On The Edge' with James Morrison at the Opera House. In 2004 the band toured Australia to launch the album, as well as multiple tours throughout Europe.

In 2004 Matthew recorded his debut album, 'Blues In The Night' featuring Joe Chindamo and James Morrison. He subsequently toured the project around Australia with his quartet.

In 2008, Matthew travelled to New York where he recorded an album with Dale Barlow and Joe Locke, as well as completing his Master of Music and Artist Diploma degrees at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music.

In 2010 Matthew lead a concert at the Blue Note in NYC to celebrate the music of Freddie Hubbard, featuring the legendary saxophonist / flautist James Spaulding. He also had the honor of recently performing with Benny Golson at Dizzy’s Club, playing many of his classic compositions with the sextet. He also performed for Sir Ron Carter’s 80th Birthday Celebration in Alice Tully Hall alongside Herbie Hancock, Buster Williams, Hubert Laws, Russell Malone and Payton Crossley.

Mat plans to release his next album in 2017 featuring one of the greatest trios in existence today – Frank Kimbrough on piano, Jay Anderson on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. The release is set for June 2017.

Awards

1996 - IAJE/NFAA Clifford Brown/Stan Getz Fellowship

1998 - James Morrison Scholarship

1998 - Young Australian of the Year for WA

1998-1999 - Australian National Academy of Music

2000 - Bob Wyllie Scholarship for best graduating student