Matt Anderson

Event information

London-based saxophonist and Dankworth Prize-winning composer Matt Anderson presents his fourth album, Live at Leeds Jazz Festival, which follows 2022’s The Town and the City also by this long-running quartet. This live recording from the middle of their May 2023 U.K. tour is a snapshot of the band at their best: stretching out on a set of original tunes with a characteristically open, interactive and risk-taking approach. The roots of jazz are never far away, with a rhythmic feel and blues sensibility that is anchored in the tradition, however the music also expands into other areas such as modal and contemporary harmony and British folk-style melodies, giving the group a distinctive identity.

Born in the North Yorkshire Moors, the son of a music teacher and based in Leeds for a time, Matt has lived in London since 2015. Becoming part of the fertile jazz scene in the capital, he has since performed with artists/bands such as Greg Hutchinson (with the Jiannis Pavlidis Quintet), Ivo Neame, the Gareth Lockrane and Calum Gourlay big bands, Jamie Doe’s Magic Lantern and Hannes Riepler, and he has also toured in New Zealand, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. In 2023, he became a D’Addario Woodwinds artist and was also made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for contributions to the music industry.

The members of the Matt Anderson Quartet met during Masters studies at the Royal Academy of Music in 2015, forging an instant bond which has kept them together since. Alberto Palau is an immensely talented pianist originally from Valencia, Spain. Now based in London, his experiences living in Boston and New York and working with artists such as Perico Sambeat and Charles McPherson make him much in-demand from leading British musicians. Jay Davis is one of the busiest drummers on the London scene, featuring for example in the Alex Hitchcock Quintet, Big Bad Wolf and his own group BadTrad. Will Harris’ remarkable bass playing has put him in high demand in the South-West where he has been based for many years, and after spending time in London he has become an increasingly popular choice of bassist in the capital as well.

Working together frequently over the past eight years, the band have developed a deep connection, touring extensively across the U.K. as well as appearing at venues such as the Bimhuis, Amsterdam; Jamboree, Barcelona and Jimmy Glass, Valencia and receiving support from Help Musicians and Arts Council England.

“a well-integrated, swinging and supremely confident ensemble… [with] a soulful depth to his musicality that underpins the academic attention to detail” Jazzwise ****

“The band’s synergy as an ensemble shines brightly in this live setting… a must-listen album” Jazz in Europe

“a terrific live set. Individually and collectively, the performances are first-rate. Anderson takes his influences… but adds his own freshness and open approach showing a vibrant, warm tone throughout.” All About Jazz ***½