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Matthew Fries

Matthew Fries is a joyful voice on the piano with a unique and recognizable style that is authentically rooted in the tradition of the classic jazz pianists, while still looking forward to the future of the music and the instrument.

As a composer and leader he has performed his own music extensively, recording ten albums of mostly original compositions. His music has been described as playful and hopeful, introspective, full of joy and wonderment, and awash with tonal colors. But it is his deeply swinging piano style and collaborative spirit that have also made him an in-demand sideman for both instrumentalists and vocalists. He has toured worldwide, appears on scores of recordings, and his work has been described as “the best jazz accompaniment I’ve seen in a cabaret in years” (The New York Times), and “the crispest rhythm section imaginable” (The London Times).

Matthew is a dedicated educator and he continues to teach lessons, masterclasses, and clinics throughout the US and abroad. Since 2017 he is a proud part of the Western Michigan University faculty as Professor of Jazz Piano where he teaches private lessons, coaches jazz combos, and teaches classes in jazz theory, improvisation, composition and arranging.

Awards

Winner - 1997 Great American Jazz Piano Competition

Gear

Vintage Vibe Electric Tine Piano

Western Jazz Collective: Dark Journey: The Music of Andrew Rathbun

Read "Dark Journey: The Music of Andrew Rathbun" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
March 7, 2025

The Western Jazz Collective is a seven-member co-op group that actually hails from America's Midwest--more specifically, Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo--where the ensemble's crew serve as members of the faculty. The designation “Western" thus refers to the university rather than the septet's geographic location. Be that as it may, what infuses and animates the Collective's debut album, Dark Journey, is the music, all of which was composed by the group's saxophonist-in-residence, Andrew Rathbun. There are nine songs ...

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Album Review

Paul Kendall: Rhapsody

Read "Rhapsody" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella
September 1, 2000

Saxophonist Paul Kendall leads several different quartets throughout this latest session of warm standards. As the album's title implies, it's all about melodies and rich harmony. However, Kendall makes sure throughout that there's plenty of space for everyone to stretch out. Averaging eight minutes per track, the program features Kendall's romantic tenor saxophone improvising over familiar chord changes. His crystal-clear tone and light-fingered technique set the mood so that the others are able to contribute accordingly.

Notable is pianist Matthew ...

"There are so many great young pianists playing today but not many with the feeling and intelligence of Matthew Fries. He posseses a great touch, great rhythm, and the ability to get inside any song he plays. He is always soulful whether playing the blues or one of his own compositions. He is a great composer and his playing reflects the past and future of jazz piano." - Donald Brown, jazz pianist and former Jazz Messenger "Matthew Fries is a bright young star in the galaxy of pianists who will lead us into the 21st century" - James Williams, jazz pianist and former Jazz Messenger "The best jazz accompaniment I've seen in a cabaret in years." - Stephen Holden, New York Times (review of Stacey Kent's performance at the Algonquin)