MATT MURPHY

Matt Murphy has spent the past twenty 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, Arturo Sandoval, Clark Terry and Diane Schurr, to name a few. After graduating college, Matt was afforded the opportunity to travel the country with Caribbean/Pop sensations, The Steel Bandits. During his tenure with this outstanding group, 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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After spending two years with the ‘Bandits, he moved on to working several festivals, clinics and concerts throughout North America and Europe, playing with such groups as the Stephen Kummer Trio, Mangú, and Stan Sykes and Company. This gave Matt the unique opportunity to master many styles ranging from Jazz to Latin to the soulful sounds of R ‘n B, Motown and beyond. His uncanny knack “to know exactly what to play, and when to play it” has helped Matt successfully take the drum seat in every musical setting.

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Beginning in 1998, 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 that time that Mangú completed a nine-month tour of Miami, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands. They had played for thousands of satisfied audience members at the Latin Music Festival in St. Thomas in 2001. Immediately following that successful tour, Matt was asked to back up the soulful singing sensation Stan Sykes, as part of Stan Sykes and Company. It was during 2001 and 2002 that Stan and the gang, spent time touring Europe, North America and the Hawaiian Islands.

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In 2002, Hollywood has 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 is also keeping very busy, working as Music Consultant for the 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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Moving to Las Vegas in the fall of 2005 proved to be one of Matt's smartest moves. Within weeks of coming to town, Matt was asked to take the drum seat for "The Rat Pack Tribute". 'This show brings back the good ol’ days when Vegas was Vegas. Musically, it's one of my favorite shows and pays homage to some of the finest entertainers the world has ever seen- Frank, Sammy and Dean,' Murphy was quoted saying in an interview after a show. Matt has also been seen around town working for various national touring artists including: Clint Holmes, Ronnie Foster, The Coasters, Platters & Marvelettes, and The Brothers Ali among others.

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From 2009-2011, Matt held down the drum seat for International Superstar Charo, as she travels the world promoting her Platinum-Selling Album “Charo on Guitar”. Matt also leads his own group The Definitives, performing in such mega-resorts as: Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Mandalay Bay and the TRUMP Tower in Las Vegas. Recently, Matt has been found playing drums for such award-winning theater productions: Smokey Joe’s Café, as well as the Rock-Opera TOMMY. The Las Vegas production of Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-Winning Musical, RENT, showcased Matt playing drums in front of sold-out audiences since it’s inception and has been a highlight of Matt’s lengthy career.

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Beginning in October of 2018, Matt was afforded the opportunity to perform at The Crossing: A Christian Church.  Depending on the weekend, Matt is using his talents to worship God, as well as performing in front of anywhere from 5,000-7,000 parishioners each Sunday over the course of 4 services.

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2020 marked the completion of Matt’s highly anticipated tutor, A Drummer’s Guide to Afro-Caribbean Grooves. This text has been given numerous accolades from the percussion industry’s greatest, authors, performers and educators. As the largest educational resource in the world, Stick Library has brought Matt and his expertise onto their team not only as a Major Contributor, but also as a Musical Director for their percussion-related video projects. The Beginning Drum Series, Latin Drumset Symposium Series and Jazz Drums Series features Matt as an author and educator in hours upon hours of educational footage. As an adjunct professor, Matt has been afforded the opportunity to teach private drum set lessons as well as the History of the Steel Band to students within the percussion program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. As one could imagine this is quite an honor and Matt takes this opportunity very seriously.

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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, 64 Audio In Ear Monitors, Audix Microphones, Humes and Berg bags and cases, Gruv Gear, Prologix Percussion & Big Fat Snare Drum,  Matt is also a international clinician and educator for Drum Workshop and SABIAN Cymbals education team roster.

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Theater Productions

RENT

Tommy

HAIR

Pirates of Penzance

Smokey Joe's Cafe

Rocky Horror Show

West Side Story

Guys and Dolls

Jersey Boys

Vegas! The Show

HMS Penefore

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Musical Ensembles

A State of Mind- featuring Serena Henry

Francesca Camus

CHARO

Otis Williams

Jennifer Nettles

Cat Rian and Friends

Vanessa Chamberlin

Stan Sykes and Company

The Trio

The Definitives

Brothers Ali

Caribe

Chris Patterson

Stephen Kummer Trio

Arturo Sandoval (w/ the Stephen Kummer Trio)

Diane Schuur

Clark Terry

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