In the Studio with Matt Finders and Friends

February 9, 2017

Since moving to the Bay Area, Karen has had the opportunity to work with educator, composer, and arranger Matt Finders. Recently he invited her to sing on this recording of his arrangement of the Charlie Chaplin tune, “Smile,” in Berkeley’s Fantasy Studio.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9yrVAiRfJg

Featured are Matt Finders on bass, Danny Janklow on sax, Matt Clark on piano, and Kelly Fasman on drums.

Matt Finders spent 17 years as a member of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno Band (on trombone). During that period, Matt started his Jazz Labb programs to keep his students playing during the summer. On the Tonight Show, Matt wrote over 400 arrangements for the band and continues to write for the Jazz Labb groups and school bands which he leads. Besides local instruction, Matt works as a guest clinician/adjudicator.

Highlights of his career include:

Benny Goodman Big Band, 1985-86

Bob Mintzer Big Band, 1987-1992

Mel Lewis Big Band, 1983-1989

Toshiko Akiyoshi Big Band, 1983-1992

Buck Clayton Big Band, 1988-1992

Natalie Cole, 1991

Harry Connick Jr. 1990

Marian and Jimmy McPartland, 1989-90

Clark Terry Big Bad Band, 1981

Blood, Sweat and Tears, 1987

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno Band, 1992-2009

Bill Holman Big Band, 2007-2010

Woody Herman Big Band, 2008-2010

Count Basie Orchestra, 2008

Jack Sheldon Big Band, 2003-2008

Bill Cunliffe Sextet, 2000-2010

Michael Bublé, 2000

Pancho Sanchez, 1996

Broadway: Cats, My One And Only, The Tap Dance Kid, Starlight Express, Secret Garden, Rags, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Anything Goes, 42nd Street, Grand Hotel.

Matt Finders