Matt Munisteri
Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Matt Munisteri is a Brooklyn native who grew up as almostassuredly the only bluegrass banjo player on his block. His own compositions and playingreflect this life-long devotion to the history of American Popular song; linking rural and urban,long-gone with contemporary.
As one of “NewYork’s finest vintage guitar stylists” (Downbeat Magazine), but also a playerwho’s at home in a range of musical styles and eras, Matt routinely works with a wide range ofartists, from Jazz to Folk and Pop, and even the avant-garde. In addition to staying busy with hisown projects, he’s a founding member of the collaborative bands The EarRegulars (withtrumpeterJon-Erik Kellso)and Musette Explosion (with accordionistWill HolshouserandtubaistMarcus Rojas). In recent years he’s been the guitarist and music director for the Jazz/Blues singerCatherine Russell, while frequently touring with violinist/multi-instrumentalistSteven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra,andThe Hot NinewithpianistHenryButler.
A brief cross-section of some of the artists he’s recorded and played with include:The LincolnCenter Jazz Orchestra; Julian Lage; Kenny Davern; Bill Frisell; Bernie Worrell; VernonReid; Wycliffe Gordon; Mark O’Connor; Andy Stein; Matt Glaser; Vince Giordano'sNighthawks; Jenny Scheinman; Whit Smith; Rachelle Garniez; Noam Pikelny; EvanChristopher; Bob Wilbur; Greg Cohen; Bucky Pizzarelli; Dick Hyman; Frank Vignola;Holly Cole; Madeline Peyroux; “Little” Jimmy Scott; Geoff Muldaur; Kat Edmonson; andLoudon Wainwright.
Matt’s CD “Love Story” was number two on Amazon’s list of the top ten jazz CDs of 2003. Hismost recent CD is "Still Runnin' 'Round in the Wilderness; The Lost Music Of Willard RobisonVol I”.
