Matt Zebroski began playing professionally at age 16 in his hometown, Pittsburgh, PA. He started playing piano and clarinet; switching to drums at age 12. At age 18, Matt moved to New Yor k to study at New School University to study with some of the worlds most notable Jazz musicians, including Billy Hart, John Riley, Charlie Persip, and Richie Beirach. He quickly developed into a highly accomplished player and instructor, playing with local jazz musicians including critically acclaimed pianist Roberta Picket and teaching at Litchfield jazz camp as well as numerous private lessons.While at the New School, Matt met guitarist Alex Skolnick, who had been a member of the metal band Testament and returned to school to study music at the university level. The two formed the Alex Skolnick Trio in 2001, a jazz guitar trio which rearranges classic heavy metal songs and applies their influence to improvisation. Within a year, their first album, Goodbye To Romance had been awarded 4 ½ stars by Downbeat (March, 2003) ,was featured in magazines such as Jazziz (March and April, 2003), The Village Voice (February 26th, 2003) and more. Since then, they have performed at such notable music industry conferences as CMJ in New York, SXSW in Austin and toured throughout the country to as well as appearing live on XM Sattelitte Radio and Fox Morning News.The second AS Trio album ‘Transformation’ (Magnatude) marked Matt’s debut as a composer with the bluesy track ‘Both Feet In.’ In addition to the trio, Matt has performed with such artists as Broadway star Rob Evan, Blackheart recording artists SinSin and grammy award winning polka artist Alex Miexner. Matt Is also a founding member of the group “the Flail”, Jazz quintet which has played numerous clubs in New York as well as the Jazz at Vienne and Marseille Jazz Festivals in Europe. Matt continues to search for a way to develop his style in a way that seamlessly incorporates all different aspects and styles of music. A recent fan review on Amazon.com summed it up: “Drummer Matt Zebroski deserves special mention. He can swing like crazy or pound his drum kit like Keith Moon. His sound is endlessly colorful, accents, swirls, soft taps, raps, rim-shots. Delicate and whisper quiet to freight train loud. Hi-hat, ride, splash, crash, and a few other cymbals are all used to fullest effect. He's in the pocket, then everwhere, but always back in time and it always sounds right. The icing on the cake is a superb recording. Every nuance is captured, yet the drums never overpower the mix. Does it sound like I'm impressed by this young man? You bet. IMHO Matt Zebroski is a name to watch.” |
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