Conversations with Matt Stubbs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Stubbs.

Matt, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been awarded the title of “best jazz clarinetist of all time” by the highest authority on the subject; myself. To most people that title is equivalent to a world record for one-legged hula hoop spins, but an important distinction to make is that hula hooping on one leg is actually impressive.

For most of my life I carried an ethos that there was no purpose in doing something unless you could be the best at it. I ended up burrowing myself into the most niche artistic expression imaginable and satisfied my ego before turning 30. Now, I’m finally allowed to be happy. I completed my fellowship with the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, and have since discovered a passionate affinity for education and mentoring the next generation of absolute monster improvisers. Keep an eye out for exports from North Hollywood High School, soon to be the leading program for jazz education in SoCal.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The only thing that’s ever stood in my way is myself, and unfortunately I’m a big dude. Thick as hell. I designed my presence for optimal potency, which can be as exciting for its beneficiaries as it is frustrating for my team. Nobody wants to work with someone that makes them look bad, but that’s the skill tree I put the most points into. God help the person who takes a solo right before me because they’ll have sounded like a blubbering baby by the time I finish my first phrase. Is that the spirit of this art form? No, but maybe our reasons for playing music don’t need to be so monolithic. Must we all be champions of love, cultural visionaries, guardians of history… or can I just be doing this for attention? Wee! Look at how fast I can play.

This lighthearted poking at jazz society might as well be the biggest blinking advertisement “DON’T HELP ME! I DON’T WANT OPPORTUNITIES” but I can’t turn it off. I see a photo of a drum set in the recording studio captioned “Office for the Day” and I’m not supposed to laugh? You named your band by smushing all of your first names together. The gig is at 10 PM on a Tuesday. There’s an AI generated flyer. People have to DM for the address. Who are we doing all of this for?

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I started by making really cutting edge, complex, fast paced jazz with influences ranging from Emo to Dubstep. The music was unnecessarily hard from multiple standpoints, and I ultimately couldn’t pay my musicians enough for what I was putting them through haha. I’ve since cooled off into more indie, singer songwriter style compositions featuring intricate polyphony and a democratic ensemble sound reminiscent of Phillip Glass and other film composers.

Nothing is released but my trademark composition of this era “Glimmer” is available on youtube. Mark your calendars for our next show on February 10th at Sam First. Jacob Mann (piano), Dario Bizio (bass), and Alex Mansour (cello) are some of the most thoughtful and expressive musicians I’ve ever worked with. Every piece sounds as though it is being composed right in front of you.

How do you think about happiness?
I have found true joy in teaching. I view it like gardening, each student a prize winning squash. Essentially blasting a young mind with ever more flawless pedagogy until I produce the next Avatar. I can’t describe the feeling of getting a 13 year old to understand improvisation at a collegiate level. Every week it feels like I’m removing thorns from a lions paw, stripping the mysticism of intangible creation so effectively that they tap into super powers. It’s my calling.

I also love food and cooking. I recently started a channel where I speed run making things like spaghetti & meatballs and chocolate malt milkshakes. My current world record is 7:42 for a breakfast sandwich, including cleaning all the dishes. It’s a lot of fun, I keep track of splits like “eggs in the pan,” “buns toasted,” and “crispy bacon” hahaha. Check it out, @stubbscooking on instagram.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubbsjazz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StubbsJazz
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/stubbscooking

Image Credits
Craig Allyn, Andrew Levy.

The Last two require additional credit: “Courtesy of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz” photos by Steve Mundinger