Meet Matthew Elton Smith of Long Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Elton Smith.

Hi Matthew Elton, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Born in San Diego California, to a musician father and artist mother, I was surrounded by music and creativity. After expressing interest in drums I started lessons at age 9, only to be playing in my dad’s band by age 10. From then on I played every summer and more at the San Diego county fair and through out the school year at Sea World, the San Diego zoo and various corporate/private parties that booked us. Drums became a passion as well as an employment opportunity. I was lucky enough to prove that I didn’t need a “real job” but could make my own money thru music. Through out middle school 2001-2014 I had a ska band called the skank agents that sold out local shows, went on tour, opened up for reel big fish, the aquabats, and even played one day on the San Diego vans warped tour stop. I ended up going to Cal State Fullerton for music education but graduated with a jazz trombone performance degree, pretty wild I know. Fortunately tho after graduating I put the horn down and focused hard on drums, specifically jazz drums. After graduating in 2012 I spent the next 5 years gigging, teaching and composing in San Diego with my jazz trio themattsmithneujazztrio and my vulf style funk band JUICEBOX, both of with went on to get nominated for various awards in the San Diego music awards. I was never the 1st call for much in town so creating my own opportunities was important. After getting married in 2017 I headed north again to pursue and eventually gain a masters degree in jazz drumset performance from California Institute of the Arts, where I studied with some of the music influential teachers including Joe LaBarbara, Randy Gloss and Swapan Chaudhuri. You can hear my compositions at the calarts jazz archive from 2018 and 2019 if you google hard enough. After graduating my masters my wife and I headed to the middle of San Diego and LA and landed in Long Beach where we have resided ever since. In these past years I’ve had a lot of success teaching jazz and commercial drum set at Saddleback College and performing with the band Phat Cat Swinger. PCS was a huge reason I got off unemployment during the pandemic and gave me and continues to give me opportunities to perform around Southern California at venues like Disney Land and across the country at various performing arts centers.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The struggles for me have always been procrastination, negative self talk and keeping my idle mind busy. Things have always seemed to work themselves out but it can be stressful when you’re a freelance worker. Creating your own opportunities is a full time job.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a musician and band leader. I have curated shows with my own bands as well as helped others by producing their shows or music. Something I’ve been into more recently is putting out my own solo music. I built my own studio upstairs in 2023 and have been slowly churning out songs ever since. It’s my goal to release 4 singles this year and I’ve made two already. Not a ton for some but this is a lot for me.

I love drums, but also have a synth problem, I’m a big fan of presets, unique and quirky sounds while also loving the classics like my Wurlitzer 200a, which is on almost every track I make.

I feel like I’m know for being a musician that can mold to what any artist needs stylistically and dynamically. I’ve played for rock bands one day while performing an intimate jazz set for a listening audience the next. My gig calendar casts a wide net and I love that.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My mom, dad, wife and son are the biggest influences and cheerleaders in what I do. They tell me with no filter what’s good and what’s not. Super important for me.

Gilbert Castellanos, San Diego trumpet player and band leader gave me many opportunities to perform with him to such I’m grateful for.

The entire San Diego jazz and music scene. I’d be nothing without out their love and support. I still go down there quite often to perform at venues like Lou Lou’s (Brian Disney), Panama 66 (Jeff Motch) and Dizzy’s (Chuck Perrin) respectively all great venues with wonderful talent buyers and people who have let me bring in groups strictly on merit. That’s something I never take advantage of.

Locally Joey Sellers, aka my old trombone teacher and now boss at saddleback college who has become a dear friend and colleague.

Laguna Beach Presbyterian church for gainfully employing me every Sunday, and letting me sub out when I need to without judgment.

Also my good friend Paul Smith II who recommended me here. A constant source of inspiration.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mattheweltonsmith.wixsite.com/official
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattheweltonsmith?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mattheweltonsmithmusic?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mattheweltonsmith?si=5fR2V0Wir8SmaWSt
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZgjgWSCOSo3czHaADjwlf?si=To2fGkxbRrujWZpbW–_gQ