Matt Pierson is an American executive, manager, and Grammy-winning music producer[1] known for producing many noted jazz artists beginning in the late 1980s.[2][3]
Matt Pierson | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 10, 1962 |
| Website | mattpierson |
He led the marketing and A&R departments at Blue Note Records and served as Executive VP/GM of Warner Bros. Records' jazz division, which he headed for more than 10 years. Since 2004, he has been an independent producer, manager, and consultant.[4]
Pierson's recordings have received Grammy nominations and wins and include Billboard #1 albums and singles.[5]. His producer discography[6] includes recordings by Brad Mehldau,[7] Joshua Redman,[8] Pat Metheny,[9] k.d. lang,[10] Bob James, Kirk Whalum, Jane Monheit,[11] Wallace Roney, Milt Jackson, Milton Nascimento,[12] Robert Randolph,[13] Samara Joy,[14] and Laura Benanti.[9]
Education and career as musician: 1970s–1980s
editMatt Pierson's father, Jack Pierson, a noted Michigan bandleader and educator, was one of his music teachers.[15] After earning a bachelor's degree in Studio Music and Jazz at the University of Miami, Matt played trumpet professionally with Miami Sound Machine, Bob James, Julio Iglesias,[16] salsa bands, and other acts, and on commercial recording sessions.
Blue Note Records: 1988–1992
editIn 1988 he moved to New York City and was hired as Promotion Assistant at Blue Note Records.[17] Mentored by Bruce Lundvall and Michael Cuscuna, he began doing A&R work and producing recordings, beginning with Bobby Watson & Horizon, Benny Green, Rick Margitza, Bob Belden[18] and others. He was involved in signing John Scofield,[19] Joe Lovano, and Rachelle Ferrell to the label, and handled the release of Blue Note reissues. Eventually he rose to the position of Director of Marketing and A&R.
Warner Bros. Records: 1992–2004
editIn 1992 Warner Bros. Records hired him as Director of A&R, Jazz & Progressive Music. In 1995, he was promoted to Senior Vice President for Jazz.[20][16]
At Warner he signed and produced Kenny Garrett, Joshua Redman,[16] Brad Mehldau,[21] Kevin Mahogany, Larry Goldings, Mark Turner, and others, and oversaw a roster that included Bob James, Joe Sample, Fourplay, Michael Franks, Earl Klugh, George Benson, Al Jarreau, George Duke, and others.
Warner Jazz grew substantially under Pierson's leadership in the early 1990s, especially in mainstream jazz, with the signing of many prominent artists.[21] Pierson signed Rick Braun, Larry Carlton, Jonathan Butler, Gabriela Anders,[22] John Stoddart, Pat Metheny, and Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown.[23]
At Warner he also produced a series of compilations and reissues, including packages featuring artists such as Duke Ellington, George Benson, Bill Evans, David Sanborn, and Jaco Pastorius.[24]
In January 1999, he was promoted to Executive Vice President/General Manager–Jazz. [25] [26]
Movie soundtracks and cast albums
editIn the late 1990s Pierson worked with Clint Eastwood on Eastwood's Maspaso Records imprint, serving as Music Supervisor and producing the soundtracks to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil[27] and Space Cowboys.[28] He also produced the soundtrack to the Louis Malle film Vanya on 42nd Street and the original cast album of 50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL.[29]
Independent producer and manager: 2004–present
editAfter leaving Warner in 2004, Pierson became an independent producer and consultant, consulting for clients including Rhino, Apple, and PledgeMusic.
In 2006 he launched the Mosaic Contemporary imprint for Mosaic Records, producing a series of compilations and reissues.
In 2012, Pierson produced the 2-CD Over the Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project, which featured Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Kelli O'Hara, Vanessa Williams, Anika Noni Rose, Brian D’Arcy James, Sutton Foster and others, with music by Stephen Sondheim, Sammy Cahn, Stephen Schwartz, Tony Kushner, and others.[30][31]
From 2015–2020 he served as A&R Consultant for Sony Masterworks,[32] where he signed and produced Robert Randolph's Grammy-nominated[33] Got Soul album[34] and recordings by Bria Skonberg, New Masters, and Laura Benanti.
His productions since 2005 include Samara Joy's Grammy-winning recordings, Kirk Whalum’s Babyface Songbook, Jane Monheit’s The Lovers, The Dreamers, and Me, Taylor Eigsti’s Daylight at Midnight, Becca Stevens Band’s Weightless, Sophie Milman’s In the Moonlight, James Maddock’s Another Life, Kirk Whalum's Grammy nominated Everything is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway,[35][36] and Svetlana's album Night at the Movies which debuted at #1 on the US Billboard Traditional Jazz Album Chart in 2019.[5] He produced two 2020 albums by Dayna Stephens, Right Now! Live at the Village Vanguard and Liberty.[37]
Serving as a judge at the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2019 Pierson met the winner, Samara Joy. After producing her debut recording, he took on management responsibilities.[38] In 2022, he produced her Verve debut recording Linger Awhile, which netted the Best Jazz Vocal Album award at the 2023 Grammy Awards, and earned Joy the Best New Artist award,[39] only the second jazz artist to win the award.[40] Pierson produced Samara Joy's EP A Joyful Holiday which earned Joy two Grammys in 2025: for Best Jazz Vocal Album, and for Best Jazz Performance for her rendition of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Me" featuring Sullivan Fortner.[41]
His management clients include vocalists Stella Cole and Lucía and trumpeter/vocalist Bria Skonberg.
Selected producer discography
edit| Artist | Recording | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dida Pelled | I Wish You Would | 2026 | La Reserve |
| Stella Cole | It's Magic | 2025 | Decca Records |
| Lucía | Lucía | 2025 | La Reserve |
| Bria Skonberg | What It Means | 2024 | Cellar Music |
| Stella Cole | Stella Cole | 2024 | La Reserve |
| Samara Joy | A Joyful Holiday | 2023 | Verve |
| Samara Joy | Linger Awhile | 2022 | Verve |
| Pasquale Grasso | Be-Bop! | 2022 | Sony Masterworks |
| Pasquale Grasso | Pasquale Plays Duke | 2021 | Sony Masterworks |
| Samara Joy | Samara Joy | 2021 | |
| Laura Benanti | Go Slow | 2020 | Sony Masterworks |
| Bria Skonberg | With a Twist | 2017 | Sony Masterworks |
| Robert Randolph and the Family Band | Got Soul | 2017 | Sony Masterworks |
| Becca Stevens Band | Weightless | 2010 | Sunnyside |
| Kirk Whalum | Everything Is Everything | 2010 | Mack Ave. |
| Jane Monheit | The Lovers, the Dreamers, and Me | 2008 | Concord |
| Kirk Whalum | Babyface Songbook | 2005 | Rendezvous |
| Brad Mehldau | Anything Goes | 2004 | Warner Bros. |
| Joshua Redman | Elastic | 2002 | Warner Bros. |
| BWB | Groovin' | 2002 | Warner Bros. |
| Brad Mehldau | Progression: The Art of the Trio, Vol. 5 | 2001 | Warner Bros. |
| Brad Mehldau | Art of the Trio 4: Back at the Vanguard | 1999 | Warner Bros. |
| Fourplay | Snowbound | 1999 | Warner Bros. |
| Mark Turner | In This World | 1998 | Warner Bros. |
| Brad Mehldau | Songs: The Art of the Trio Volume Three | 1998 | Warner Bros. |
| Brad Mehldau | Live at the Village Vanguard: The Art of the Trio Volume Two | 1998 | Warner Bros. |
| Kevin Mahogany | My Romance | 1998 | Warner Bros. |
| Various Artists (Soundtrack) | Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil | 1997 | Malpaso |
| Brad Mehldau | The Art of the Trio Volume One | 1997 | Warner Bros. |
| Wallace Roney | Village | 1997 | Warner Bros. |
| Joshua Redman | Freedom in the Groove | 1996 | Warner Bros. |
| Kenny Garrett | Pursuance: The Music of John Coltrane | 1996 | Warner Bros. |
| Various Artists | Warner Jams, Vol. 1 | 1995 | Warner Bros. |
| Joshua Redman | Spirit of the Moment – Live at the Village Vanguard | 1995 | Warner Bros. |
| Brad Mehldau | Introducing Brad Mehldau | 1995 | Warner Bros. |
| Bob James | Straight Up | 1995 | Warner Bros. |
| Michael Franks | Abandoned Garden | 1995 | Warner Bros. |
| Wallace Roney | Mistérios | 1994 | Warner Bros. |
| Joshua Redman | MoodSwing | 1994 | Warner Bros. |
| Joshua Redman | Wish | 1993 | Warner Bros. |
| Joshua Redman | Joshua Redman | 1993 | Warner Bros. |
| Milton Nascimento | Angelus | 1993 | Warner Bros. |
| Benny Green Trio | Testifyin'!: Live at the Village Vanguard | 1992 | Blue Note |
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ Matt De León; Éamon Laughlin (14 October 2024). "MEET THE PROS Episode 1: Matt Pierson". Meet the Pros (Podcast). Anyone Can Book a Gig. Event occurs at 56:39. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ↑ Fievel Crane (29 March 2022). "The Insider #5: Producer Matt Pierson". The Jazz Session with Fievel Crane (Podcast). The Jazz Session. Event occurs at 1:06:21. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ↑ Matt Pierson at AllMusic. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ↑ Cristina del Toboso (16 November 2023), Exclusive Interview: Jazz Producer Matt Pierson on Jazz Over the Decades and the Joy of Samara Joy’s Grammy Wins, Blogcritics, retrieved 9 March 2026
- 1 2 David Noel Edwards (15 December 2021), CONCERT PREVIEW: Svetlana and the Delancey Five swing at The Foundry December 18, The Berkshire Edge, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ MATT PIERSON: SELECTED PRODUCER CREDITS (PDF), GPS, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ Gabrielle Sierra (27 September 2011), Monika Borzym Releases New CD Girl Talk, Broadway World, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ Andrew Gilbert (11 May 2021), Bill Kwan Gets Beneath the Skin With Sade, SF Classical Voice, retrieved 6 June 2022
- 1 2 Jason Scott, Laura Benanti Leans Into Pop Poetry On Century-Spanning Debut Album, American Songwriter, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ Michael Wilmington (5 December 1997), Making His Day, Chicago Tribune, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ Jason Crane (29 March 2022), The Insider #5: Producer Matt Pierson, The Jazz Session, retrieved 6 November 2023
- ↑ Matt Pierson, Hip-Bone Music, retrieved 3 June 2022
- ↑ Matt Norlander (9 March 2017), Robert Randolph: A Soulful Salvation, Relix, retrieved 23 October 2023
- ↑ Nate Chinen (4 February 2023), Samara Joy's polyphonic stardom, NPR, retrieved 23 October 2023
- ↑ Salute to Jack Pierson: The Pied Piper of Jazz (PDF), Michigan Jazz Festival, 20 July 2003, retrieved 3 June 2022
- 1 2 3 Pierson Now WB Sr. VP/Jazz (PDF), R&R, 3 February 1995, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ Yoshi Kato, So Many Options for Music Grads, Downbeat, retrieved 6 March 2026
- ↑ A Fireside Chat with Bob Belden, Jazz Weekly, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ Time on My Hands at AllMusic. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ↑ Matt Pierson, Hip-Bone Music, 1 September 2018, retrieved 6 March 2026
- 1 2 Dale Chapman (3 July 2023), Private Equity Blues: Warner Music Group, Nonesuch Records, and Jazz in the Era of Financialization, Cambridge University Press, retrieved 6 November 2023
- ↑ Gabriela Anders, smooth-jazz.de, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ Roger Moore (8 November 2002), IT REALLY IS ABOUT 'ALL THAT JAZZ' FOR PLAYERS IN BWB, Orlando Sentinel, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ The Best Of Smooth Jazz, Vol. 1 at Discogs
- ↑ Zimmerman, Keith (29 January 1999). "Warner Bros. Promotes Pierson". Gavin Report.
- ↑ Chris Morris (14 September 1996), Evans Boxes Put Pianist in the Retail Spotlight, Billboard, retrieved 3 June 2022
- ↑ Steve Hochman (2 November 1997), Dirty Harry Sings, Los Angeles Times, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ Space Cowboys, Library of Congress, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ Nicole Rosky (9 August 2013), 50 SHADES! THE MUSICAL Cast Album Gets 8/13 Release, Broadway World, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ Lewis Whittington, Over the Moon, the Broadway Lullaby Project, CultureVulture, retrieved 13 June 2022
- ↑ Over the Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project Review by Jonathan Widran at AllMusic. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ↑ Samara Joy: 'Samara Joy’, Jazzwise, 26 July 2021, retrieved 3 June 2022
- ↑ James Wood (2 January 2018), ‘Got Soul’: Robert Randolph Talks Grammy Nomination, Artistic Inspiration, Guitar World, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ Gary Graff (16 February 2017), Robert Randolph Premieres ‘She Got Soul’: Watch, Billboard, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ Chevel Johnson (12 February 2011), Kirk Whalum’s 4 Grammy nods in R&B, pop, gospel, The San Diego Union-Tribune, retrieved 6 June 2022
- ↑ Everything Is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway Review by Thom Jurek at AllMusic. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ↑ Dayna Stephens, NPR, retrieved 3 June 2022
- ↑ Video of the Day: Samara Joy shares ‘Stardust’ (Official Video), Jazzwise, 8 June 2021, retrieved 3 June 2022
- ↑ Edward Segarra (6 February 2023), 'It means everything': Meet jazz singer Samara Joy, who won best new artist at 2023 Grammys, USA Today, retrieved 23 October 2023
- ↑ George Varga (10 March 2023), Samara Joy, a two-time 2023 Grammy-winner at 23, is understandably jazzed: ‘It was pretty crazy!’, San Diego Union-Tribune, retrieved 23 October 2023
- ↑ SÍLE MOLOLONEY (4 February 2025), Bronx Jazz Singer Samara Joy Wins Two More Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Album & Best Jazz Performance, Norwood News, retrieved 6 March 2026
External links
edit- Matt Pierson discography at Discogs
