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Matt Belzer

Matt Belzer, born in Camden, NJ is the younger of two sons; raised in Runnemede, NJ--exit three on the Turnpike. The combination of good public and private teachers, a musical brother and proximity to Philadelphia, fostered in Belzer a passion for art and music. Belzer began playing saxophone at the age of nine and added clarinet two years later. During this time, he developed a wide-ranging interest in various musical styles, which has helped to define his creative activities to the present day.

Thanks to Belzer’s teachers and a supportive family, Belzer was accepted to the prestigious Eastman School of Music where he studied saxophone, clarinet, flute and composition. Belzer’s skills were refined while studying with Ramon Ricker, Richard Sherman, Bill Dobbins, Fred Sturm, Michael Caine, and Ralph Alessi. While receiving his master’s degree Belzer toured Germany and Japan as a member of the school ensembles. Belzer’s summers were spent in South Jersey where he would venture weekly into Philadelphia to attend jam sessions. During this time, Downbeat Magazine and the Jazz Composers Alliance honored Belzer’s performances and compositions. Upon graduation, Belzer moved to Cincinnati to be with flutist and future wife Mariko. During this time, Belezer recorded and performed with bassist and former Eastman classmate Drew Waters cementing a long musical partnership. Belzer also joined the critically acclaimed rock group Big Soap where he added Theremin (An electronic instrument played by moving the hands near its two antennas) to his list of instruments. As a member of Big Soap, Belzer toured the US and gained valuable musical experience from the “do-it-yourself” world of indie rock. In addition, while in Cincinnati, he struck up a friendship with flutist Dr. Bradley Garner who commissioned Belzer to compose a work for flute and piano, which Dr. Garner premiered at the National Flute Association convention in Phoenix, AZ. The work, B4B, was eventually published on Advance Music.

From that time to the present, with Mariko’s help, the two of them have given numerous performances throughout Japan. The concerts featured Belzer and Mariko in a variety of musical settings; including music with traditional Japanese taiko drummers composed by Belzer. Wanting to return to the east coast, Belzer moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he and Mariko have lived ever since. Belzer has emerged as a high demand freelance musician in the Baltimore/D.C. area. Belzer is a member of the early jazz groups the Peabody Ragtime Ensemble and the Baltimore Jazz Orchestra, often leading the groups himself. One major highlight was conducting Duke Ellington’s Best of the Sacred Concerts for jazz ensemble, choir, soloist, narrator, dancers and tap dancer.

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7
Album Review

Anansi Trio: Calling

Read "Calling" reviewed by Jerome Wilson


The Washington, DC based Anansi Trio create a lot of varying sounds with a deceptively simple lineup of reeds, bass and percussion. Their first album, On The Path (Anansi Trio, 2018), established their approach of mixing jazz and world rhythms based around the intricate sound of Mark Merella's combination trap drum and conga setup. This second CD continues to build on their unique combination of exotic and funky rhythms but tries out a few new wrinkles as well.

104
Album Review

Matt Belzer: Connections

Read "Connections" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Connections, featuring seven tunes from the pen of composer/reedman Matt Belzer, opens on a jazz/rock groove--in front of some cool and gorgeous and very unrock-like sax/clarinet harmonies. On a flow of gentle propulsion, “Deep Focus" immediately engages the listener while delving into deeper musical layerings. It's an excellent and approachable introduction to Belzer's original concepts.Matt Belzer boasts an impressive professional resume: Director of Homewood Jazz Ensembles at John Hopkins University; Jazz Department Chair at the Peabody Prepatory; and ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Calling

Self Produced
2020

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Connections

Self Produced
2005

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