Jazz and Funk saxophonist Matthew Alec delivers sheer belief with a strong, focused, and clear sound. His eclectic style, inspired by musicians such as Michael Brecker, Joshua Redman, and John Mayer, combines a multitude of idioms including contemporary R & B, hard bop, free jazz, and rock. Although a predominantly passionate and soulful musician, he employs a decidedly methodical approach as a soloist and a writer, putting a great deal of thought into every note that comes through his horn.
About
Matthew earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Kent State University in 2007. While at KSU, he studied both 20th century classical music and jazz with Grammy-nominated saxophonist Greg Banaszak and longtime Cleveland Jazz Orchestra trombonist and composer Chas Baker. He is also a two-time attendee of the highly exclusive Inside / Outside Retreat for professional saxophonists held at Wooten Woods just south of Nashville, Tennessee. There he studied music, nature, and life in general with the ‘who’s who’ of world-renowned jazz virtuosos, including saxophonists Bob Reynolds, Bob Franceschini, Joshua Redman, Jeff Coffin, Kirk Whalum, and Steve Wilson, pianist Aaron Goldberg, bassist Victor Wooten, and drummer Roy ‘Futureman’ Wooten. He has had the pleasure of performing with Victor Wooten, Roy ‘Futureman’ Wooten, Saturday Night Live trombonist Steve Turre, and Kenny G bassist Vail Johnson.
Matthew is a founding member of ‘Cleveland’s Best Original Band,’ Winslow. The original soul and funk outfit earned the moniker from both Cleveland Scene Magazine and Cleveland’s Fox 8 News. For nearly 12 years until the group parted ways he performed in many cities across the United States; opening for the likes of Earth, Wind, and Fire, Incubus, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Keane, Average White Band, Lupe Fiasco, OAR, Rusted Root, Bernie Worrell, Ozomatli, Bret Michaels, and many others. Matt has also recorded two full length albums as a soloist with the group: Crazy Kind of Love (2008) and Left of the Right Direction (2013), the latter of which he co-produced. Both drew national critical acclaim, features on AOL.com, MSN.com, and Reverbnation.com, and many radio spins across the U.S. Crazy Kind of Love even has Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Bernie Worrell of Parliament / Funkadelic playing keyboards on one of the tracks. The group’s success led to his own personal nomination as ‘Cleveland’s Best Horn Player’ by Cleveland Scene Magazine.
These days Matthew can be seen regularly performing with his own jazz-fusion act, Matthew Alec & The Soul Electric. He is also a first call player for a number of professional acts throughout Northeast Ohio.