Matt Lavelle

Matt Lavelle, an innovative trumpeter and reed instrumentalist, has developed a strong standing as a skilled improviser inclined toward exploratory free jazz. He first appeared on the New York jazz circuit in the early 1990s after receiving guidance from Ornette Coleman before the famed saxophonist’s death, and he has worked alongside Sabir Mateen, William Parker, Henry Grimes, and additional players. Lavelle’s recordings, among them 2003’s Trumpet Rising Bass Clarinet Moon and 2011’s Goodbye New York, Hello World, display his original voice, shaped by the avant-garde explorations of the 1960s as well as later stylistic currents.

Born in 1970 and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, Lavelle began playing trumpet during his childhood. By the late 1980s he was receiving instruction in Nyack, New York, from the little-known swing-era saxophonist Hildred Humphries, who had toured with Billie Holiday, Count Basie, and others. He subsequently attended Berklee in Boston and then settled in New York City. Since completing his studies he has performed with Warren Smith, Eric Mingus, Roy Campbell, Jemeel Moondoc, Mat Maneri, Ras Moshe, Matana Roberts, Francois Grillot, William Hooker, and many further musicians. His first recorded appearance occurred with Assif Tsahar and the New York Underground Orchestra on 2002’s The Labyrinth.

As a leader he made his debut with Handling the Moment, issued by CIMP in 2002. Trumpet Rising Bass Clarinet Moon arrived in 2004. During this period he also began private studies with Ornette Coleman. Spiritual Power, his third album as a leader, appeared in 2006, followed by Manifestation Drama in 2009. In 2010 he recorded with Giuseppi Logan, performing on and producing the saxophonist’s first release since withdrawing from activity in the 1960s, The Giuseppi Logan Quintet.

In addition to performing, Lavelle writes and maintains a blog. He has released two books: 2011’s New York City Subway Drama and Beyond and 2013’s The Jazz Musician’s Tarot Deck. Goodbye New York, Hello World came out under his name in 2011. That year he also formed the 12 Houses Orchestra. He appeared on William Parker’s concert recording Essence of Ellington: Live in Milano in 2012. The sax and trumpeter’s Unseen Rain was released by ESP Records in 2018.