In July I was able to attend a screening of excerpts from Ken Burns’ new documentary Country Music which will air in September.
I again had the opportunity to work with KCTS9 to compose music for some of the promotional spots and local short-stories which will air in the Seattle-area in conjunction with the broadcast of Country Music. Look for them to start airing in the next few weeks on KCTS9.
Really inspiring night watching the film surrounded by people committed to Public Television.
I had the pleasure of working with director Silas Lindenstein on his film G.A. which was part of Seattle’s 2019 48 Hour Film Project. The film recently screened at the SIFF Uptown theater.
When the film is released for a wider audience I’ll post it here.
Dropped off my kid at school this morning then turned on NPR’s Morning Edition and heard one of my tunes from the Tattooed By Passion album.
Morning Edition has been incredibly supportive of my music over the years and I’m always honored when use it … not to mention surprised when I actually hear it live!
Worked with director Boone Sommerfeld on this fun commercial for Seattle’s Goodwill Earth Day 2019 campaign. This track was recorded at my studio with Jon Hamar on bass and Hans Teuber on flute.
I recently composed music for a mini-documentary for the King County Bar Association documenting their work with the Housing Justice Project. “Protecting Families from Homelessness” aired during their annual “Breakfast with Champions” fundraiser which featured a keynote speech by former Attorney General Loretta Lynch.
Very proud to have worked with the team at Sparkworks Media on this project.
In December 2018 I was commissioned to write some new themes for Seattle’s PBS station, KCTS 9.
They are making their way onto the air … you can view one here: All of KCTS’ existing themes were ‘upbeat.’ The task for this theme was to create a theme to bookend ’emotional’ or ‘delicate’ subject matter.
The entire package of music included five versions of the KCTS9 theme which will start airing throughout 2019.
Earlier this month Strawberry Theatre Workshop’s production of How I Learned To Drive wrapped.
My role on this show was more sound design and editing source music … but I did get an opportunity to write a few cues.
One of the few comedic reliefs was the juxtaposition of subject matter with the theme of a 1950s-1960s PSA Instructional Video and the Drivers Manual. So I created a theme called “Safety First: You and Driver Education” which was used at a couple spots during the play.
The MOTOTREK series set off for a series of episodes in India this year. I wrote some new music specifically for the specials. A number of people have requested a copy of the music so it is now available on Bandcamp.
For the past year I’ve been writing music for the MotoTrek YouTube Series. It is mostly a drum score but for the year-end episode I got a last-minute call to write something “Holiday sounding” … oh, and can you get it to us in the next hour or so.
And the MotoTrek series has started to catch on in December. This was the episode that brought in a lot of views.
Hey All … the weekend of October 13-14 I’m presenting a weekend of my original music from the past 17 years of recordings on Origin Records.
Included in the first set will be music from Tattooed by Passion which I haven’t performed live with the full 9-piece band (jazz quintet + string quartet) in six years.
I’m excited for the weekend of music and would love for all of you to join me. And did I mention that the first night is my 45th birthday …
FRIDAY – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13-14
MUSIC BY MATT JORGENSEN
TULA’S JAZZ CLUB
2214 Second Ave / Seattle
Music starts at 7:30pm
Tickets: $20, All Ages
Make a Reservation! 206-443-4221
Featuring:
Thomas Marriott – trumpet Mark Taylor – saxophone Ryan Burns – piano Phil Sparks – bass Matt Jorgensen – drums
I am honored to be hosting the John Coltrane Birthday Celebration at Tula’s Jazz Club on September 22-23.
Joining me this year will be Portland saxophonist Rob Davis who has been a musical collaborator of mine since my college days. Rob is also on my first Matt Jorgensen +451 CD entitled, The Road Begins Here.
Rounding out the group will be Tim Kennedy on piano, Phil Sparks on bass, and myself on drums.
Reservations are recommended as this is an popular annual event!
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22-23
THE JOHN COLTRANE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
I’ve been doing music for the YouTube series Moto360 which are motorcycle lifestyle episodes. The idea behind the music was an all-drum score and occasionally I’ve added a few more episodes.
Had a great time performing up in Victoria, BC, with saxophonist Phil Dwyer and bassist Sean Drabbit. Sean and I played together (maybe?) 18 years ago in Brooklyn, NY, and it was great to reconnect. This was the first time I got to play with Phil Dwyer.
Hermann’s is Canada’s longest continually-run jazz club … a real treat to play there. I remember listening to Jim Wilke’s Jazz Northwest program when I first started playing jazz and he would run through all the gigs in the Pacific Northwest including Victoria and who was playing at Hermann’s. Glad I got a chance to play there, especially in these uncertain times where rising real estate prices are pushing jazz clubs out of the city centers.
Plus the ride up and back from Victoria was exciting! (see below)
I’m excited to announce that I’ve been asked to do some original music and sound design for a production of Proof by Strawberry Theater Workshop.
For the past few years I’ve participated in the Charlie Brown Christmas Show at the Seattle Center as a member of Jose “Juicy” Gonzales Trio. That show is a benefit for Strawberry Theater Workshop and in talking to director Greg Carter the opportunity to work on a different musical environment presented itself.
The show opens January 19th at 12th Avenue Arts in Seattle and runs through February 18.
Looking forward to working on setting the show … once I get back from NYC of course … you can buy tickets and learn more here.
I had the pleasure of working with director 
Earlier this month Strawberry Theatre Workshop’s production of How I Learned To Drive wrapped.
The MOTOTREK series set off for a series of episodes in India this year. I wrote some new music specifically for the specials. A number of people have requested a copy of the music so it is now available on 
Had a great time performing up in Victoria, BC, with saxophonist Phil Dwyer and bassist Sean Drabbit. Sean and I played together (maybe?) 18 years ago in Brooklyn, NY, and it was great to reconnect. This was the first time I got to play with Phil Dwyer.
I’m excited to announce that I’ve been asked to do some original music and sound design for a production of 
Tune into KNKX 88.5 on Christmas Day, 3:00 – 6:00PM (West Coast Time) for the 1st annual Origin Records Holiday Special!
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