Focus: MATTHEW HALSALL

Matthew Halsall is a Manchester based trumpeter who I first met back at Sketch City, the Sunday arts session the Hoya Hoya boys used to run. DJ Woody was chopping up some of his horns, as it were, as Matt told me he was getting a CD out on his own label. I found out Matt also DJ’d, and for a time played hip hop and beats to the students of Liverpool of a Monday evening. The ‘beats’ side of Matt is still very much apparent with the Matt Halsall Trio, whose repertoire includes an Aphex Twin cover – you might catch this incarnation playing with the likes of Portico Quartet.

A recent example of Matt’s refusal to keep to one jazz stereotype is the recent Holmfirth gig he orchestrated, which saw the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band playing some of his work. Check them here covering his cover of Cinematic Orchestra‘s Ode To The Big Sea (as a side note, the Cinematics’ drummer Luke Flowers often plays and records with Matt).

Fletcher Moss Park is Matthew’s latest album, and further cements his place as a modern jazz genius. On The Go, previous to this release, won Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Award for best jazz album and a MOBO nomination for the same, so no pressure there. Check it out below together with the rest of his back catalogue on the Bandcamp embeds.

I’m now working with Matt’s label, Gondwana Records, on a few bits and bobs so it seemed only right to share the sounds. Their catalogue also includes saxophonist and reggae selector Nat Birchall, plus the much-hyped GoGo Penguin whose debut is out in a couple of weeks.

Check Matt’s new site, with tour dates and buy links, here.

Listen to Fletcher Moss Park

Listen to On The Go

Listen to Colour Yes

Listen to Sending My Love