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 known for being a lead vocalist in the Grammy Award-winning blues rock and soul group, the Tedeschi Trucks Band. He also co-founded and sings lead for the blues rock trio Scrapomatic.
People often describe Mike Mattison's singing voice as "strong" and "expressive." He was even nominated for "best male vocalist" for his work with Scrapomatic. Before joining the Tedeschi Trucks Band, he was the lead singer for the Grammy Award-winning The Derek Trucks Band. Mike Mattison is also a main songwriter for all three bands he has been a part of. Besides music, he writes essays about music and poetry.
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Mike Mattison's Early Life and Music Journey
Mike Mattison was born and grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. From a young age, he learned to play many instruments. These included the recorder, clarinet, tenor saxophone, french horn, trombone, bass, and guitar. He was also a talented singer.
He was greatly influenced by jazz, blues, and roots music. Mike began writing songs and performing with his friend, Paul Olsen, who also grew up in Minneapolis. They met in 1993 at a concert and started playing R&B and blues-based music together. When Mike went to Harvard University on the East Coast, he convinced Paul to move with him.
Forming Scrapomatic and Joining The Derek Trucks Band
Mike Mattison earned a degree in English and American literature from Harvard. He and Paul Olsen continued to play music and perform as a duo called Scrapomatic. In 2002, two record producers suggested Mike Mattison as a new lead singer for The Derek Trucks Band.
By chance, Derek Trucks, the band's leader, saw Mike in the subway in New York City. Mike then performed in some concerts with The Derek Trucks Band. Soon after, he became a full member of the band. However, he still continued to be part of Scrapomatic. His duo often opened shows for The Derek Trucks Band.
Mike's voice was seen as another instrument in The Derek Trucks Band. He could sing with a "growly" sound, which Derek Trucks could match on his slide guitar. Mike could also sing in a high falsetto voice for other songs.
Tedeschi Trucks Band and Solo Work
In 2010, The Derek Trucks Band took a break. Mike Mattison then joined a new group called the Tedeschi Trucks Band. In this band, he became a backing vocalist and a songwriter. One of his songs, "Midnight in Harlem," was featured at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in 2010.
In 2013, Mike Mattison started a project to fund his first solo album, which was successful. He released his solo CD, You Can't Fight Love, in 2014. In 2020, he released another solo album called Afterglow.
Besides recording and touring with the Tedeschi Trucks Band and Scrapomatic, Mike Mattison also teaches. Since 2016, he and Ernest Suarez have held seminars at universities. They teach about a type of writing they call Poetic Song Verse. Their book, Poetic Song Verse: Blues-based Popular Music and Poetry, was published in 2021.
Mike Mattison's Music Albums
Mike Mattison has released many albums with his bands and as a solo artist.
With Scrapomatic
- 2002 – Scrapomatic
- 2006 – Alligator Love Cry
- 2008 – Sidewalk Caesars
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 (2014)
- Afterglow (2020)
Other Music Contributions
- Soul Summit (2008) (with Maysa and Susan Tedeschi)
