Matt Aronoff

Bassist and composer Matt Aronoff grew up in Northern New Jersey. Matt played saxophone and trumpet throughout his childhood, but was always drawn to the bass. At 17 he found an upright bass in the high school music room and was able to use it; as long as he sang in the choir. While studying with Jonathan Storck of the NJ Symphony and jazz bassist John Webber, he earned a scholarship to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. While in Pittsburgh, he studied with Pittsburgh Symphony double bassist Anthony Bianco and saxophonist Eric Kloss, both of whom became important mentors, musically and personally.

After a brief stint in Spain, he returned to the states where he was awarded a scholarship to attend Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Upon graduation, he immediately hit the road with his former professor and Grammy-winning vocalist Luciana Souza, touring her album, "The New Bossa Nova" (Verve Records, 2007).

Since that time, Aronoff has been deeply involved in the New York music scene being praised for his, “musicianship at the highest level, paired with an incredibly emotional connection with the crowd” (Jazz Advocate). To date, he has had the pleasure of playing, touring or recording with musicians including Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner, Peter Eldridge, New York Voices, Banda Magda, Matt Wilson, Jane Monheit and Anat Cohen in addition to performers such as Alan Cumming, Sandra Bernhard and Ana Gasteyer. Known for being, “greatly sensitive, with huge ears and a feel for accompaniment” (All About Jazz) Aronoff is a highly sought-after acoustic and electric bassist in and around New York City.

When he isn’t on the road, he is a Teaching Artist through Carnegie Hall’s Weill Institute. Through this program, he has been given the opportunity to compose and perform music with and for people in neglected communities such as hospitals, prisons, detention centers and homeless shelters. These concerts, recordings and collaborations have made up some of Matt's most moving musical experiences of his life.

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