Mike Mattison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mike Mattison
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Mattison fronting Scrapomatic, opening for the Tedeschi Trucks Band
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| Background information | |
| Born | December 14, 1969 |
| Origin | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Genres | Blues, blues rock, soul, world music, R&B, jazz fusion |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano, clarinet, tenor saxophone, french horn, trombone, upright bass, guitar |
| Labels | Columbia, Alligator, Landslide Records |
| Associated acts | The Derek Trucks Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Scrapomatic, Susan Tedeschi |
Mike Mattison (born December 14, 1969) is an American musician and singer. He is a vocalist for the Grammy Award-winning blues rock and soul group, the Tedeschi Trucks Band. He also helped start and sings for the blues rock trio Scrapomatic.
People describe Mattison's voice as "strong" and "expressive." He was nominated for "best male vocalist" at the Minnesota Music Awards for his work with Scrapomatic. Both he and his bandmate, Paul Olsen, were nominated for "best R&B Group." Before joining the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Mattison was the lead singer for the Grammy-winning The Derek Trucks Band. He has written many songs for all three bands.
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Mike Mattison's Early Life and Music
Mike Mattison was born and grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Before he finished high school, he learned to play many instruments. These included the recorder, clarinet, tenor saxophone, french horn, trombone, bass, and guitar. Of course, he could also sing!
He was very interested in jazz, blues, and roots music. Mattison started writing songs and performing with his friend, Paul Olsen. They both grew up in Minneapolis. They met in 1993 at a Parliament-Funkadelic concert. After that, they began playing R&B and blues-based music together.
Moving East and Forming Scrapomatic
Mattison went to Harvard University for his education, which took him to the East Coast. He convinced Olsen to move with him. Mattison earned a degree in English and American literature from Harvard.
Mattison and Olsen kept playing music together. They formed a duo called Scrapomatic.
Joining The Derek Trucks Band
In 2002, two music producers, Craig Street and John Snyder, both suggested Mattison to blues rock musician Derek Trucks. Trucks needed a new lead singer for his band, The Derek Trucks Band.
Trucks was in New York City and had seen Mattison's photos and heard his singing demos. By chance, he ran into Mattison in the subway! After this lucky meeting, Mattison sang in several concerts with The Derek Trucks Band. Soon after, he became a full-time member of the band. He still kept his role in Scrapomatic, and the duo often opened shows for The Derek Trucks Band.
Mattison's Voice as an Instrument
An NPR host once described a "growly" quality in Mattison's voice. This was after hearing the band play "I Wish I Knew" in the style of Nina Simone. Derek Trucks could even copy this sound on his slide guitar.
The next song they played was very different. It was a song by Skip James, and Mattison sang it in a falsetto. A falsetto is a very high singing voice. In The Derek Trucks Band, Mattison's voice was seen as another instrument. It blended with the music, rather than being the main focus.
Tedeschi Trucks Band and Solo Work
In 2010, The Derek Trucks Band announced they would take a break. Mattison then joined a new group, the Tedeschi Trucks Band. He became a backing vocalist and songwriter for them. One of his songs, "Midnight in Harlem," was featured on the DVD of Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010.
On July 17, 2013, Mattison started a Kickstarter project. This project was to help fund his solo album. It successfully reached its funding goal on August 17, 2013.
Mattison released his solo CD, You Can't Fight Love, on June 3, 2014. He continues to record and tour with both the Tedeschi Trucks Band and Scrapomatic.
Discography
With Scrapomatic
- 2002 – Scrapomatic
- 2006 – Alligator Love Cry Alligator Records
- 2008 – Sidewalk Caesars Landslide Records
With The Derek Trucks Band
- Live at Georgia Theatre (2004)
- Songlines (2006)
- Songlines Live (2006, DVD)
- Already Free (2009)
- Roadsongs (2010)
With Tedeschi Trucks Band
- Revelator (2011)
- Everybody's Talkin' (2012)
- Made Up Mind (2013)
- Let Me Get By (2016)
- Live from the Fox Oakland (2017)
- Signs (2019)
- I Am the Moon (2022)
Solo Albums
- You Can't Fight Love Landslide Records (2014)
- Afterglow (Landslide Records, 2020)
Other Music Contributions
- Soul Summit (2008) (with Maysa, Susan Tedeschi, and Mike Mattison)
