MATT MURPHY

Matt Murphy is indeed an all-American percussionist who's grooves permeate all musical styles.

Matt is a proud endorser for: Drum Workshop Drums and Hardware, SABIAN Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks and Brushes, Gruv X Percussion Accessories, 64 Audio In Ear Monitors, Audix Microphones, Humes and Berg Bags and Cases, Gruv Gear, Prologix Percussion & Big Fat Snare Drum.  Matt is also an international clinician and educator for Drum Workshop, SABIAN and the Vic Firth education teams' roster.  Music is WHO Matt is- not what he does- WHO he is!  And, here's why......

Matt has spent almost 40 years of his life perfecting his craft as a drummer and percussionist. While attending Western Illinois University, Matt had the opportunity to perform with the Grammy Nominated Western Illinois University’s Jazz Studio Orchestra.  From 1990 thru 1996, Matt was seen playing to sold out venues, arenas and auditoriums from the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, to the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, to tours through Europe and practically everywhere in between.

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Beginning in 1997, Matt assumed the responsibility of Musical Director for Norwegian Cruise Line, performing as an artist as well as departmental manager on several of Norwegian’s vessels within the fleet of nine ships.  It was during this time, that Matt spent time touring the Caribbean, North America, Europe and the Hawaiian Islands.

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In 2002, Hollywood called for Matt’s knowledge of music in television. Working both in front and behind the camera’s lens, Matt can be seen on several television programs starting in 2002, as a sideline musician. Matt also kept very busy, working as Music Consultant for a new Partridge Family series for MTV Networks, as well as the internationally famous prime time hit from Warner Brothers, the Gilmore Girls.

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In Las Vegas, Matt leads his own groups, is hired as a music consultant and is hired as a sideman, performing in such mega-resorts as: Eiffel Tower at The Paris Hotel & Casino, Mandarin Oriental Hotel,  Waldorf Astoria, Mandalay Bay, Monte Carlo, MGM Grand, Venetian, Encore and the Bellagio. Through the years, Matt has played drums for such award-winning theater productions as: Smokey Joe’s Café, TOMMY, Hair, Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-Winning Musical, RENT and the Caribbean inspired musical In The Heights.

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2020 marked the completion of Matt’s highly anticipated tutor, A Drummer’s Guide to Afro-Caribbean & South American Grooves. This text has been given numerous accolades from the percussion industry’s greatest, authors, performers and educators.  

As an adjunct professor, Matt taught private drum set lessons to students within the percussion program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Matt also taught private lessons at Alexander Dawson School from 2005 to 2022,  In 2020 group lessons began at The Warehouse School.  In 2022, Matt took over teaching percussion at Nasri School for Gifted Children.  As one could imagine, this is quite an honor and Matt takes these opportunities very seriously.

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2022 was a great year for Matt and his professional endeavors.  While still teaching his lesson roster, he is starting an online membership program for his lessons (beginner, intermediate, advanced, styles, rudiments, theory, grooves, and all aspects of drum set and percussion).  Matt is starting up a new band- with new and old friends, in A State of Mind.  He was also accepted as a drummer for The Ultimate Jennifer Lopez Tribute with Connie Peña.

In 2023, Matt will introduce audiences to his love for Afro-Caribbean styles of music, in his new band, Caribé.

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Theater Productions

In The Heights

RENT

Tommy

HAIR

Pirates of Penzance

Smokey Joe's Cafe

Rocky Horror Picture Show

West Side Story

Guys and Dolls

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Musical Ensembles

Caribé

Jennifer Lopez Tribute w/ Connie Peña

A State of Mind

Ronnie Foster

Charo

Rick Whitfield

Wayne Foster Entertainment

Jennifer Nettles

Sam Cooke

Vanessa Chamberlin

Brothers Ali

Chris Patterson

The Stephen Kummer Trio

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