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Matthew Von Doran

After 20 years of gradually building his rep as a reliable and versatile sideman on the Orange County, California circuit, guitarist Matthew Von Doran is finally stepping out as a leader in his own right with In This Present Moment. Produced by Jimmy Haslip, bassist with the internationally renowned Yellowjackets, this debut outing from Von Doran finds the guitarist surrounded by a cast of jazz heavyweights including saxophonists Bob Mintzer and Bob Sheppard, drummers Peter Erskine, Terri Lyne Carrington, Gary Novak and Marcus Baylor, B-3 organist Larry Goldings, bassists James Genus and Haslip himself. An impressive showcase that highlights Von Doran's warm, inviting tone and accomplished six-string work in a variety of settings, In This Present Moment is a fitting introduction to this new face on the post-Metheny/post- Scofield guitar landscape. "The record has a nice eclectic mix but it's not too all over the map," says Von Doran in addressing his own eclectic nature as a guitarist. From the hauntingly melodic opener "Balance" to the earthy N'awlins flavored funk of "Measure Once" to the fervently swinging "Critical Mass," sparked by the ace rhythm tandem of bassist Genus and drummer Baylor and featuring a killing tenor solo from Mintzer, Von Doran still covers a lot of bases stylistically on In This Present Moment, showcasing a fluid linear approach and rich chordal voicings along the way. Organist Goldings adds a thick B-3 cushion underneath the aptly-named "Swang," which is fueled by the briskly swinging, interactive pulse of Carrington on the kit and culminates in some heated trading between organ and guitar. That potent organ trio also appears on the breezy, Latin flavored "Z" and the more ethereal "Ex Nihilo." Producer Haslip appears alongside his Yellowjackets bandmate Baylor on the challenging, post-boppish vehicle "Vanity Strikes," which also features a burning solo from vibist Roger Burn. Former Chick Corea Elektric Band drummer Gary Novak provides the slamming backbeat on the powerful groover "Cable." And for a radical change of pace, Von Doran also pulls out his 11-string nylon string fretless Godin guitar on the provocative "Trick," which is underscored by some adventurous interplay between bassist Olesczkiewicz and drummer Erskine. Von Doran closes the collection in poignant fashion with the melancholic acoustic guitar ballad "Somewhere Before," which features some sensitive brushwork from Erskine and is also highlighted by a beautifully expressive solo upright bass intro by Darek "Oles" Olesczkiewicz. From opener to closer, there's not a weak link on In This Present Moment.

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Album Review

Matthew Von Doran: In This Present Moment

Read "In This Present Moment" reviewed by John Kelman


While not exactly a new name on the music scene, guitarist Matthew Von Doran is relatively new to the jazz scene. With a career in pop that dates back to 1980, he had the opportunity to hone his jazz chops during a sixteen-year stint with the Don Miller Big Band, known primarily as the house band for two television shows, 'The Nanny' and 'Seinfeld.' But it has taken Von Doran nearly forty-four years to finally step out on his own ...

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158

Performance / Tour

Lamar Harris Replaces Matthew Von Doran for Halloween Weekend at Jazz at the Bistro

Lamar Harris Replaces Matthew Von Doran for Halloween Weekend at Jazz at the Bistro

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Jazz St. Louis has announced that trombonist Lamar Harris (pictured) and his group Tribal Funk will perform at Jazz at the Bistro on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31.Harris replaces guitarist Matthew Von Doran, who originally was set to perform on those dates when the Bistro's season schedule was announced earlier this year. In a brief phone interview, Von Doran said he had to forgo his Halloween weekend at the Bistro after getting hired for a series ...

150

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Hamiet Bluiett Opens Robbie's; Matthew Von Doran and Corey Christiansen at the Gramophone; and More

Jazz This Week: Hamiet Bluiett Opens Robbie's; Matthew Von Doran and Corey Christiansen at the Gramophone; and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Though we're still in what's generally the slow season of the year for jazz in St. Louis, there are a couple of noteworthy events coming up this week featuring nationally known musicians with ties to the St. Louis area.On Friday, the highly acclaimed baritone saxophonist Hamiett Bluiett, who was born and still lives in Brooklyn, IL, opens the new venue Robbie's House of Jazz (in the former Cookie's Jazz and More location at 20 Allen Ave. in Webster ...

145

Performance / Tour

Corey Christiansen, Matthew Von Doran to Perform at the Gramophone on Tuesday, August 18

Corey Christiansen, Matthew Von Doran to Perform at the Gramophone on Tuesday, August 18

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This just in: In another welcome development during this relatively slow time of year for live jazz in St. Louis, guitarists Corey Christiansen (pictured) and Matthew Von Doran will team up for a performance at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18 at The Gramophone.Christiansen and Von Doran are old pals who have worked together before; in fact, Von Doran bought and now resides in the Webster Groves house that Christiansen vacated when he left St. Louis to move ...

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Festival

Jazz This Week: Glendale Jazz Festival, Kim Massie, Matthew Von Doran, and More

Jazz This Week: Glendale Jazz Festival, Kim Massie, Matthew Von Doran, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

With Memorial Day weekend coming up, it's a relatively light few days in the offing for live jazz and creative music in St. Louis. Moreover, with StLJN HQ still in recovery mode after a computer crash Tuesday night, yr. humble editor has his hands full right now with software re-installs, restoring files from backup, and similar fun-inducing tasks. Still, there are a few noteworthy shows on tap this weekend, so here's a brief look:The tenth annual Glendale Jazz ...

Matthew Von Doran Quick Quotes... • "Von Doran's debut announces the arrival of a singular voice on electric and acoustic guitars. Everything about this recording works." - Ejazz News • "5 Stars! Guitarist Matthew Von Doran combines outstanding composition, state-of-the-art sound, and a world-class lineup to create one of the finest jazz albums in recent memory." - Modern Drummer Magazine • "4 Stars!!! Von Doran is an artist with vision and an emerging style that makes him someone to watch. He is clearly his own man; there is no sense of compromise on a recording that is completely engaging, with plenty of melodic hooks, solid grooves and fine playing." -All About Jazz • "Von Doran shines throughout this well played showcase...the majors screwed up by letting this be an indie release." - Midwest Record Recap • "Von Doran’s playing is truly inventive and versatile

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Beginning, intermediate & advanced students in the Los Angeles & Saint Louis area please call 949-642-3785 for more info or visit http://www.privatelessons.com/daypoint/media/editsnapshot.asp? mode=view&showmail=true&userid=5685

Clinic/Workshop Information

Clinic Topics In addition to fundamental jazz subject matter... - Real world musicianship skills - Creating a goal oriented practice agenda - time management techniques - the whole-music experience: mind, body, & spirit - improving focus & concentration - guitar master classes - finding the essence of improvisational concepts

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