Jason Matthews
Freakin' Sweet.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
I recall listening to tons and tons of Green Day when I was around 9 or 10, and soon after I picked up guitar. My dream, however, had always been to play bass, and I got my first bass when I was 11. After mastering all of Green Day, Rancid, Goldfinger, and No Doubt's basslines by the time I was 13, I moved on to transcribing as many Jaco tunes as I could find. That led me into great bass players such as Stu Hamm, Billy Sheehan, John Pattitucci, etc. Around this time I got really into classical music and cello, and studied privately for several years, all the while playing in the cello section of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. When I started college at the age of 16, my music began focusing more and more on jazz. I went on tour with a jazz percussion ensemble, played in several combos, yadayadayada, then I got word of Adam Nitti, with whom I immediately decided to study. And here I am.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I'm currently playing shows with my band, Closer to Carter (www.myspace.com/closertocarter). As a solo bassist I haven't played a show in a few years.
Your musical influences
My teacher, Adam Nitti. Jaco, Stu Hamm, Roscoe Beck, Billy Sheehan, Peter Tchaikovsky, Dmitry Shostakovich.
What equipment do you use?
Spector Euro 5 Neck-Thru, Fender Roscoe Beck Signature V Bass, Conklin GT-7 7-string, Carvin R1000 head and RL410 cabinet, and a Boss TU-2, because it's the best tuner of all time.
Anything else?
Your mom goes to college.
