Matt Booth | Sun Prints

Bassist and composer MATT BOOTH is releasing SUN PRINTS, his first album of all original music. The music is freewheeling and varied but stays true to the contemporary jazz tradition. Rather than create an album focused on his bass playing, Booth wanted the recording to showcase his compositions and a unified ensemble sound.

A ubiquitous performer on the New Orleans jazz scene, Booth found a great deal of success both as a leader and sideman. He has released numerous albums as a co-leader of several groups. His compositions are texturally rich and dynamic, occasionally

crossing over to the avant-garde but driven by melody and propulsive grooves. Booth plays both upright and electric bass on the album.

The musicians on SUN PRINTS are more than up to the task of playing Booth’s inventive and dynamic compositions. Although the music is complex, Booth’s melodic sense makes it accessible to the average listener. The album unfolds in a way that keeps the audience guessing, and the detailed production will reward multiple listens. SUN PRINTS is a superb representation of Matt Booth’s playing and compositional skills are deserving of a wider audience.

Though recently relocated to Durham NC (15 minutes from me!!!), Booth has lived in New Orleans and brought on board several top musicians from the area. Trumpeter STEVE LANDS has performed with many jazz and pop bands, including the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Swiss pianist and composer Florian Favre, PJ Morton, Maroon 5, and in big bands with the Marsalis family. OSCAR ROSSIGNOLI, on piano and keyboard, has collaborated on a wide range of projects with artists such as John Boutté, Jason Marsalis, Joe Dyson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Alexey Marti, among many others. Drummer PETER VARNADO, a native of New Orleans, has performed with some of the biggest names in the industry as well as local legends, like Ellis Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, and The Jordan Family. Saxophonist SAM TAYLOR, now a resident of Chicago continuing his music studies at DePaul University, has performed with jazz artists such as Marcus Roberts, Jason Marsalis, and Roland Guerin.  Special note should be made of co-producer BRIAN SEEGER – this is the third project he has worked on of Booth’s, and his efforts both in the studio and in post-production are invaluable.