Matthew Garrison was born June 2, 1970, in New York. Here he spent the first eight years of his life immersed in a community of musicians, dancers, visual artists, and poets. After the death of his father Jimmy Garrison (John Coltrane’s bassist), his family relocated to Rome, Italy where he began to study piano and bass guitar. In 1988 Matthew returned to the United States and lived with his godfather Jack DeJohnette for two years. Here he studied intensively with both DeJohnette and bassist Dave Holland.
In 1989 Matthew received a full scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. Here he began his professional career with the likes of Gary Burton, Bob Moses, Betty Carter, Mike Gibbs and Lyle Mays to mention a few. Matthew moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1994 and has performed and recorded with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Meshell Ndege Ocello, Joni Mitchell, Jack DeJohnette, Steve Coleman, Cassandra Wilson, Wallace Roney, Pat Metheny, Geri Allen, Gary Thomas, John Mclaughlin, The Gil Evans Orchestra, Tito Puente, John Scofield, Chaka Khan, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, The Saturday Night Live Band and many others.
In 1998 Matthew founded GarrisonJazz Productions through which he currently Produces, Promotes and Markets his music. The latest projects are “Shapeshifter Live 2010 – Part 1, Matthew Garrison Solo”, and “GarrisonJazz Productions Music Center” a website which provides a modern approach to music education.
Gear
Bass: Fodera signature 5-string’ Fodera prototype acoustic bass guitar; Fodera NYC 4- & 5-strings; Strings: Fodera signature set (Nickel roundwounds, .028, .040, .060, .080, .100) Amps: Epifani Piccolo (650 watts) and UL501 (850 watts) heads; Epifani D.I.S.T. 4X10, 2X10, AND 1X12 cabinets
