MATT BOOTH

SUN PRINTS

Ears & Eyes Records

Matt Booth, Electric & Upright bass/guitar/composer/producer; Oscar Rossignoli, piano/keyboards; Peter Varnado, drums; Steve Lands, trumpet; Sam Taylor, tenor saxophone; Brian Seeger, pedal steel guitar/co-producer.

An omnipresent performer on the New Orleans jazz scene, Matt Booth will tell you that his move to the jazz cradle of the world changed his life.  Originally from Pittsburg, PA., Booth helped launch Tuesday night music at the popular Thunderbird Café years ago. The popular bassist supported and played traditional jazz, world music, experimental and improvisational jazz, even folk music. He was a household name in the Pittsburg music community.

His father’s record collection resounded with rock and jazz records from the 1950s to the 1980s. As a youngster, Booth soaked in music like a human sponge.  He started playing electric bass in middle school, but when he heard the great Charlie Haden playing upright bass on Ornette Coleman’s “Science Fiction” album, young Booth changed musical directions. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.  Afterwards, he began teaching and playing bass locally. But there was something about Matt Booth’s playing that made his many friends, and several Pennsylvania teachers suggest he might find greater success if he moved to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Sometime around 2014, Booth took their advice to heart, moving to New Orleans. He spent the next several years performing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Burlington Jazz Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival, South by Southwest and was nominated by Offbeat Magazine for the Best Bass Player Award.  He performed nationally as a member of the band led by celebrated R&B organist and piano player, John “Papa” Gros.  Unexpectedly, in 2023 he picked up and moved from New Orleans to Durham, North Carolina. But his strong ties to the New Orleans music scene led him to call many of his friends, and the top players from that area, to work with him on this album.

Booth opens with “In Tongues” where he plays electric bass on this original composition. However, it’s the second song that catches my ear and won’t let it go. Titled, “For Your Consideration,” is a swinging jazz waltz that turns the spotlight on Sam Taylor’s smooth tenor saxophone solo.  Oscar Rossignoli steps to the forefront next on piano, offering a stellar solo on the 88-keys. On a tune Booth calls “Ice Bear,” I love the trumpet of Steve Lands who explores the repetitious chords that lay down an infectious groove, created by Peter Vernado’s drums with Matt Booth’s bass and imagination.  I can hear Booth’s sense of beauty and melody on his composition “Otero Canyon.” Another favorite is “Old News” where Matt Booth walks his bass across my listening room, with his horn section singing harmonically. The horns unfold an open space for pianist Oscar Rossignoli to solo. This is the Straight-ahead jazz that I love. I’m excited when Matt Booth solos on his double bass during this bebop arrangement. His song reminds me of 1960s jazz with a modern twist. Here is an album of original music that spans years and encompasses styles from swing to Straight-ahead, from beautiful ballads like “Interlude” to funk and fusion tunes, even somewhat experimental on songs like “Optimal Chunks.”  As a composer, Matt Booth has written something for everyone. This album will be available to the public August 23, 2024.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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