Matt Brown

Matt Brown performs American roots music with a deft touch and a smile. He is an engaging performer who educates as he entertains. He draws from several American traditions, including Old-Time, Blues, Cajun, and Bluegrass, and he loves singing ballads that hearken back to the British Isles. He is an innovative fiddler, an intricate banjo player, a propulsive guitar player, and a powerful singer. His repertoire includes music from the earliest commercial recordings, field recordings, and from the many musicians he has befriended.

Matt Brown performs American roots music with a deft touch and a smile. He is an engaging performer who educates as he entertains. He draws from several American traditions, including Old-Time, Blues, Cajun, and Bluegrass, and he loves singing ballads that hearken back to the British Isles. He is an innovative fiddler, an intricate banjo player, a propulsive guitar player, and a powerful singer. His repertoire includes music from the earliest commercial recordings, field recordings, and from the many musicians he has befriended.

Brown began his musical training by studying Suzuki violin with Linda Litwin. In his teens, his teacher was the Philadelphia Orchestra's Richard Amoroso. Brown's fiddle teachers include Brad Leftwich, Rafe Stefanini, Bruce Molsky, Mitch Reed, Dirk Powell, Bruce Greene, and Rickie Simpkins. Brown picked up the guitar several years ago, and has quickly flourished on the instrument. As a banjo player, he cites the early influence of his father and, more recently, he has had the privilege of learning from Paul Brown (to whom he is not genetically related). Ginny Hawker, Tracy Schwarz, Charles Williams, and Dick Swain have all helped him hone his focused and resonant singing style.

Though primarily a solo performer, Brown has been a musician with dance ensembles (including Footworks and Rhythm in Shoes), has made guest appearances with touring acts (Tim O'Brien, Uncle Earl, and The Wilders), and is an active teacher. He offers lessons on fiddle, banjo, and guitar, and cherishes teaching workshops whenever he can. He has several albums to his credit: the solo album, Falls of Richmond; his debut with Paul Brown & Beverly Smith, Lone Prairie; and an instructional recording, Old-Time Fiddle Lesson, Vol. 1. Brown is looking forward to the release in March of My Native Home, which features Brittany Haas, Ben Krakauer, Tim O'Brien, and Mark Schatz. All of Matt's recordings are available from 5-String Productions, an independent record label and studio based in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

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1/7/10: Matt Brown

The singer and multi-instrumentalist (fiddler, soulful flat-picker, and banjoist) performs American roots music.

Matt Brown

The singer and multi-instrumentalist (fiddler, soulful flat-picker, and banjoist) performs American roots music.

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Matt Brown

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