Matisyahu

Watching Matisyahu perfrom is different than watching a “normal” band, its more like a jamming religious experience, the crowd is different, calm, happy, and passionate about just being in the presence of a man with this authenticity. The experience might be summed up nicely by Van The Man’s line “it stoned me to my soul…”, maybe that’s what Matisyahu’s performance at the Mile High Music Festival did to me last Sunday afternoon. I had been shooting bands for nearly two full days and from the photo pit you could always sense the crowd’s enthusiasm as in manifested itself in their applause and cheers but nothing could have prepared me for the intensity of the cheers that came when Matisyahu walked on stage, the cheers had the force of a wildfire burning intensely through a dense forest, nearly overwhelming in volume, force and heat in the form of passion.

This was my second time seeing Matisyahu, I remember the first time thinking that this was not really going to be “my kind” of music. My mind changed immediately, and I remember feeling the truth of “we are all victims of our conclusions”, I certainly had been interms of this “rapper”. Anyone that takes whatever they are doing to the highest possible level is to be admired, this is how I have always felt about music, genres are useless.

Known for blending traditional Jewish themes with Reggae, rock and hip hop sounds, Matisyahu is most recognizable for being a hasidic Jew. As such, Matisyahu stands out for not performing on Shabbos. Since 2004, he has released two studio albums as well as one live album, two remix CDs and one DVD featuring a live concert, and a number of interviews. Through his short career, Matisyahu has teamed up with some of the biggest names in reggae production including Bill Laswell and duo Sly & Robbie.

Since his debut, Matisyahu has received positive reviews from both rock and reggae outlets. Most recently, he was named Top Reggae Artist of 2006 by Billboard. He was recently named a spokesperson for Kenneth Cole.

The past four years have been fraught with excitement and challenges for Matisyahu and his band mates. Since the release of his 2004 debut, shake off the dust… ARISE, Matisyahu has continued to bring his uncanny, electrifying fusion of orthodox Judaism and classic reggae music to millions of new listeners. His first release on Epic Records, Live at Stubbs, a highly successful live concert recording from the famous venue in Austin TX, has sold nearly 700,000 copies and is certified Gold.

Matisyahu drew upon the myriad experiences that led him to such a career pinnacle on his sophomore studio album, Youth, which contains the hit single “King without a Crown.” A compelling mix of ancient and modern sounds and ideas, Youth also reached Gold certification. Matisyahu’s follow-up album, No Place to Be has sold 60,000 copies to date. No Place to be is a collection of remixes and rarities featuring the single “Jerusalem (Out of Darkness Comes Light).”

The rising star knows of the struggle of which he speaks. Born in West Chester, PA and raised in White Plains, NY, the young man formerly known as Matthew Miller would undertake a monumental odyssey before discovering his new identity – and voice – as Matisyahu (the Hebrew version of “Matthew,” and the name he adopted upon becoming observant). Via adventures in Colorado, Israel, Oregon, and New York City, he not only heard a profound spiritual calling, but also discerned a revolutionary way to share his discoveries and reflections, via the reggae and hip-hop sounds that had long been an integral part of his day-to-day soundtrack. Since, Matisyahu has brought his ground-breaking musical style to thousands of fans across the country with his energetic live shows. He has toured with 311, played numerous festivals (such as Langerado and The Virgin Festival) and sold-out his annual Chanukah season tour, Festival of Lights.

Currently, Matisyahu is busy collaborating with producer David Kahne (Sublime, Paul McCartney, 311, Regina Spektor) on a new full length album to be released in late 2008. The pair recently worked together for the Darfur tribute album on the John Lennon cover “Watching the Wheels.”

Regardless of religious affiliation, most artists will tell you that the creative force is special type of divinity that moves through them. Matisyahu simply seeks to serve as a conduit for the messages of peace and unity that flow through him, to improve the world by sharing his music, and without letting ego or worldly desires interfere in that communication. “That’s what I’m aiming for,” he admits. “I don’t think I’ve fully gotten there, but that’s the goal.”

Matthew “Matisyahu” Miller – vocals/beatbox
Aaron Dugan – guitar
Rob Marscher – keyboards
Joe Tomino – drums
Stu Brooks – bass
D.P. Holmes – guitar

Share and Enjoy

Share and Enjoy

Matisyahu

As he paced back and forth across the stage delivering incredibly long strings of verse, I found myself mesmerized by his cadence and ability to move effortlessly between melodic verses and rap streams and genres. As Trevor Hall had done earlier, he too seemed to have an aura of integrity around his presence and even though hip hop and rap are not the genres of my choice, I was overwhelmed with his passion and expertise and enjoyed every minute of the show.

Matisyahu’s lead guitarist, Aaron Dugan, attended Bucks County Community College for music in 1997. He studied Jazz Improvisation and Composition/fundamentals with Ben Schacter and Jon Sheridan. In 1998 he attended the New School for Social Research Jazz and Contemporary Music program in New York City. He studied with George Garzone, Steve Cardenas, Ritchie Beirach, , Vic Juris, and Peter Bernstein. I was positioned right in front of Aaron so had a great angle and perspective on his performance which was truly excellent.

Matisyahu and Trevor Hall

At about 1:00 a.m. my wish came true and Matisyahu welcomed Trevor to the stage, their voices blended magically and the show went to yet another level, I was spell bound by the beauty of these two powerful and peaceful young musicians.

The band was driven with an intensity that can only occur when a dynamic duo combines like this drummer and bass player. The drummer, Skoota Warner was born and raised in Newnan, Georgia.At the age of nine, his interest in playing drums led him to the church. Gospel played a soulful foundation for “The Funky Drummer”. By the age of eleven he was touring the south with various then up-and coming Gospel groups. After high scholl Skoota moved to New York, and after a few short weeks in New York, Skoota was spotted playing with street break dancers by Pepeu Gomes and Baby Consuelo, Brazil’s top Pop artists at that time. At age 18, Skoota left for Brazil with Pepeu and Baby where he lived for two years playing live rock shows and recording several albums with Pepeu and other top Brazilian artists.

Skoota returned to New York, at which time he landed consecutive gigs with the likes of such Blues greats as Johnny Copeland, Johnny Johnson, and the following year, Skoota joined the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night House Band. 1998 hallmarked Skoota’s ascending career when New York’s premier studio drummer, Omar Hakim, chose him to be his drummer for the Rhythm Deep Project in support of Omar’s solo recording. Omar said “Skoota nails it! He’s a drummer’s drummer.“

The other side of the dynamic duo is the young bass player, Jason Fraticelli is a Philadelphia based bassist. He comes from a very musical family in Puerto Rico and thus started playing at a very young age. He spent time there on his grandparents’ farm studying the Quattro – a traditional 10-stringed instrument – with his grandfather. His first group, at 10, was with his Dad and his Uncle, called Elysium, where Jason played drums. Elysium was a fusion of Latin and rock, with Beatle-esque vocals. After high school, Jason attended Bucks Community College where he unfortunately met Matisyahu’s guitarist Aaron Dugan. They both transferred to The New School in NYC and Jason studied with Reggie Workman, George Garzone, Cecil McBee, and Jane Ira Bloom.

Jason’s entire body rocked continuously in huge arcs as he anchored the bottom and hooked tightly into Skoota’s beat.
At about 2:00 a.m. Matisyahu welcomed his protégé to the stage a young man named Nosson Zand who proceeded to steal the hearts of the crowd, what a big voice and stage presence.

Share and Enjoy

Share and Enjoy