Born: 1981 Primary Instrument: Guitar, electric
Roman Matin was born in Minsk, Belarus, in 1981. His father played bass guitar in local rock bands. Roman was interested in music from his early childhood, and to his five he knew almost all European and American musical groups. His first major hobby became art-rock. Later Roman was acquainted to the academic and jazz music. Among the favorite musicians he calls Lester Young, Art Pepper, Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery, Fred Frith; his favorite composers are Bartok, Stravinsky, Satie, Shostakovich.
In music school Matin studied only the first two years and then switched to the private lessons. His first major teacher was his aunt - pianist Elizabeth Alexeyeva, who worked as a teacher at music high school. Later, the Belarusian Symphony Orchestra violinist Mikhail Goldin gave lessons to the young musician. Then Roman was taught to play the guitar by his friend Mitya Rud. In his youth Matin played in several local groups, performing rock, but he said “I do not want to follow my fathers’ footsteps, and rock music made me bored very soon”.
The musician plunged into his own creativity. He remembers: “concerts bored me very much, and I began to think that the show - this is not my thing, and truly sincere music can be born only in silence”. Being interested in academism, the musician spent much time “alone with himself writing in absolute silence “. The first works were used in Belarusian films. Roman gave few concerts, he spent a lot of time in the studio.
The creator of a truly unique style of playing the guitar, the holder of the original beauty of sound, marked by famous musicians and thousands of listeners, Roman released a new album “Music For Electric Guitar” in May 2008 - the first year on independent label RoDC. Matin’s style is a synthesis of jazz improvisation and academic approach; his polytonal and polyrhythmic technique with the lyrical and nostalgic mood music has won the hearts of listeners. Music of Matin appreciated by such greats as Sheila Jordan, Airto Moreira, Charlie Haden, Pauline Oliveros, Lenny White, Alphonse Mouzon, James Spaulding, Stu Goldberg, Ned Rothenberg, Tommy Emmanuel, a multitude of young musicians.
“A wonderful new talent with deep feeling” - Sheila Jordan
“You sound great” - Charlie Haden
“Very good music! You have the stuff” - Michael Henderson, bass player with Miles Davis, 1970-1975
“At last, an original voice! I love this ideas” - Ralph Carney, main sax player and arranger with Tom Waits
”This guitar work is very original and mysterious. I'm really enjoying it.” - Eric Bikales, organ player with Tom Waits
”This music is beautiful” - Badal Roy
”Very nice and peaceful” - Airto Moreira
”This sound is soulful and haunting - It urges you to hear more “ - James Spaulding
”Awesome! Great work” - Alphonse Mouson
”Great to hear this guitar work! Enigmatic and searching with a nice balance of clarity and opaqueness” - Brucre Eisenbeil
”Very nice. Original and tasteful” - Wayne Gabriel, lead guitar with John Lennon
”You manage to catch a great atmosphere!” - Tomas Bodin, The Flower Kings
”This music is lovely... veiled and kind of Satie-esque” - Anthony Coleman
”Glad to hear somebody taking chances again” - Lenny White, Return To Forever
”I like the vibe of these guitar tracks. Dark, moody, personal. Very nice” - Michael Blair, drummer with Tom Waits
”Keep up spirit alive” - Charli Persip, drummer with Dizzy Gillespie
”Sound great. I really dig the production and the creativity. It's on!” - Dave McMurray
”Very nice!” - Doug Munro
”Very creative approach!” - Chris Burnett
“Music up at last!” - Robert W. Getz
”This music is not only beautiful but rare. The feeling is from a place few know about and even fewer visit.” - Stan Harrison
”Your minimalist sound has something of really sensitive. Your guitar seems to be alive. Strange feeling.” - Bérénice Pouplet, Alc've
”This is music made not for the latest “trends” or the “marketplace” but for the sake of the music itself. It is performed honestly, without unnecessary flash. It is simultaneously contemplative, nostalgic, forward-thinking and personal. Bravo!” - Erroll Zastre, Second World
”Anyone can play the guitar but you tell stories with your strings. Stories of love and happiness and pain and regret. Great stuff!” - Joel Vallie
”This music makes me feel free” - Gyusz, d.e.c. band
Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.
