Mat Walerian
| Mat Walerian | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Genres |
Avant-garde jazz Free improvisation Post bop Oriental music Electronica |
| Occupation(s) | Bandleader, Saxophonist, Bass clarinetist, Flutist, Composer |
| Instruments | Saxophone, Bass clarinet, Soprano clarinet, Flute |
| Years active | 2005 - present |
| Labels | ESP-Disk |
| Associated acts | Matthew Shipp, William Parker, Hamid Drake, Val Jeanty |
| Website | Official Website |
Mat Walerian is a jazz saxophonist and woodwind player (alto saxophone, bass clarinet, soprano clarinet, flute), composer and bandleader who specializes in improvisation and avant-garde music.
Walerian began playing music at the age of six, starting with piano lessons. Hearing John Coltrane at the age of ten led him to jazz. From the very beginning he was interested in blues harmony, spending time playing blues and boogie miniatures.
While in high school he picked up the saxophone at the age of sixteen and in less than a month was playing in the school’s orchestra. He started with alto and after a year also tried tenor. After transferring to a new high school a couple months later, he lost the right to use the instruments and as a result got about a two-year break in practice, since his new school didn’t run an orchestra. He managed to buy his own instrument at the age of nineteen and came back to practice. In 2008 Walerian started individual studies on classical Japanese music, picking up soprano clarinet and flute. One year later (2009) he added also bass clarinet to his repertoire.
At the age of nineteen he tried formal musical education and after passing his exams became a student at a public music school, but he quit two months later. He was strongly attracted to jazz, but also played in crossover groups, melding hardcore and heavy experimental guitar music with free improvisation while in high school. His first project was a saxophone/drums duo with a characteristic avant psychedelic / funk groove.
His studies were mostly focused on eastern philosophy and Japanese culture. With the exception of a few lessons he is self – taught musician, occasionally taking lessons from acknowledged masters Matthew Shipp and Hamid Drake, lessons which he has cited as being crucial to his development.
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