Nilson Matta is a Brazilian

bassist A bassist (also known as a bass player or bass guitarist) is a musician who plays a Bass (instrument), bass instrument such as a double bass (upright bass, contrabass, wood bass), bass guitar (electric bass, acoustic bass), synthbass, keyboar ...

and

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and Defi ...

. He has been based in New York City since 1985. He is also known for his work with

Trio da Paz Trio da Paz is a Brazilian jazz group formed in 1986 that consists of Romero Lubambo on guitar, Nilson Matta Nilson Matta is a Brazilian bassist and composer. He has been based in New York City since 1985. He is also known for his work with ...

, Don Pullen African Brazilian Connection,

Joe Henderson Joe Henderson (April 24, 1937 – June 30, 2001) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. In a career spanning more than four decades, Henderson played with many of the leading American players of his day and recorded for several prominent l ...

, Yo Yo Ma and Nilson Matta's Brazilian Voyage.

Biography

Nilson studied bass at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) with Sandrino Santoro, a Brazilian classical bass player. During his years living in Brazil, Nilson played the bass with musicians such as João Gilberto, Hermeto Pascoal, Roberto Carlos (singer),

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, Nana Caymmi, João Bosco,

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, Luis Bonfá,

MPB4 MPB4 (Short for ''Música popular brasileira 4'') is a vocal and instrumental Brazilian group formed in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, in 1965, and has been active since. The group's main genres are sung samba and MPB, and they are considered among the ...

, and Roberto Carlos. Nilson moved to New York City in 1985. Since that time he has performed and recorded with artists as Joe Henderson, Paquito D'Rivera,

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, Herbie Mann, Mark Murphy,

Oscar Castro Neves Oscar Castro-Neves (May 15, 1940 - September 27, 2013), was a Brazilian guitarist, arranger, and composer who is considered a founding figure in bossa nova. Biography He was born in Rio de Janeiro as one of triplets and formed a band with his br ...

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, and Gato Barbieri. After moving to New York City, Nilson co-founded the project "The African Brazilian Connection" with pianist Don Pullen. The group released three albums on

Blue Note Records Blue Note Records is an American jazz record label owned by Universal Music Group and operated under Capitol Music Group. Established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis, it derived its name from the blue notes of jazz and the blues. Or ...

. Nilson then started a project of his own with longtime friends Romero Lubambo and Duduka da Fronseca - "Trio Da Paz". The trio released five albums. From 1995 through 1998, Matta worked extensively with saxophonist Joe Henderson. Nilson played on the album ''Joe Henderson Big Band'', which won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance in 1998. Yo Yo Ma selected Nilson to play on ''Obrigado Brazil'' and ''Obrigado Brazil – Live in Carnegie Hall Concert with Yo Yo Ma'', both of which were Grammy winners. These albums prompted a worldwide tour that lasted for two years. Nilson also recorded with Yo Yo Ma on his album ''Songs of Joy & Peace'' in 2008. Since 2006, Nilson has been focused on many of his own projects. That year he released ''Walking with My Bass''. He is a member of the International Society of Bassists and often appears as a featured guest and performer at their conventions. Matta is also well known for his teaching ability, which has been showcased in different settings through the country. Nilson gives lessons to young bassists in addition to his master classes. He has taught at Litchfield Jazz Campus. Nilson is the Artistic/Music Director of Samba Meets Jazz Workshops, with vocal and instrumental programs for adults in Bar Harbor, ME, Boston's North Shore, as well as in international locations.

Discography

As sideman

Source:Cook, Richard and Morton, Brian (2008) ''The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings''. (9th ed.) Penguin.

References

External links

Official Site
at Motéma Music {{DEFAULTSORT:Matta, Nilson Brazilian jazz musicians Jazz double-bassists Living people Year of birth missing (living people) Brazilian emigrants to the United States 21st-century double-bassists Trio da Paz members Motéma Music artists