MATT SKELLENGER GROUP RELEASES 4TH ALBUM, VITALITY

​Electric bassist, Matt Skellenger, has always been an exception to the rules. By combining forward thinking creativity, progressive techniques and natural musicality, Skellenger displays a uniquely identifiable sound. Born and raised in Denver, CO., Matt has been composing, performing, and recording in the Front Range for 26 years.

In 2002, he earned a B. A. in Music from Metropolitan State College of Denver where he studied with internationally renowned trumpeter Ron Miles. Skellenger’s fierce dedication to the electric bass led him to attend Steve Bailey and Victor Wooten’s Bass At the Beach Workshop in 2004, as well as six of Victor Wooten’s Bass Nature Camps from 2004-2015. There he had first hand experience studying with world class musicians including Victor Wooten, Steve Bailey and Chuck Rainey who are full time instructors at the camps and some of the most influential musicians to ever play the electric bass. At the 2005 BNC, Skellenger was awarded one of two scholarships to attend The Bass Collective in NYC for a week long intensive course.

The versatility of Matt’s playing can be heard on music ranging from solo bass, jazz sextet and modern rock power trio to folk, Americana, funk, blues and pop groups. In 2003, Matt released his first solo bass album On My Way Home. In 2009, Parentheticals was released featuring Ron Miles, Dave Miller, and Andy Skellenger. The group released its second album, The Owls Are Not What They Seem, in 2013 adding Glenn Taylor on pedal steel guitar. New Radio was released in 2014 adding Adam Bartczak on trombone and conch shell. The newest release, Vitality, will be out on April 26th, 2019. The group added Matt Reid on trumpet, cornet, and flugelhorn for the new release. In addition to leading his own group, Skellenger teaches music at Swallow Hill Music School, and is currently a member of The Grown A$$ Man Band.
ABOUT THE ALBUM:
The Matt Skellenger group is excited to release their 4th studio album entitled Vitality on April 26th, 2019. This album features 9 new original tunes composed by Matt Skellenger. The music is a blend of jazz, world music, and fusion featuring the incredible musicians listed below. The Album was recorded at Mighty Fine Productions in Denver with engineer Colin Bricker. The art design for the album is by Jack Redell. The group is celebrating the release of the new album with a concert at Dazzle Jazz Club in Denver on Saturday April 27th at 7pm.

The Matt Skellenger Group’s instrumentation is a unique mixture of acoustic instruments that are centuries old(Tabla, Ghatam, Cajon, Trumpet, Trombone, Drums, Conch Shell), with modern electric instruments and effects (Electric Bass, Pedal Steel Guitar, Effects Pedals).

Matt’s music is performed in a variety of formats. Solo bass, duo, trio, quartet, and the full band(sextet). Matt has studied with world renowned bassist, composer, and educator Victor Wooten. Matt is a Denver native who has been performing and composing music for over 25 years.

PLAYERS AND INSTRUMENTS:
Matt Skellenger – Electric Bass
Adam Bartczak – Trombone, Conch Shell
Dave Miller – Drums, Ghatam, Tabla
Matt Reid – Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn, Effects
Andy Skellenger – Tabla, Cajon, Udu
Glenn Taylor – Pedal Steel Guitar

TRACKS AND TIMES: 
1. Showtime 5:43
2. Vitality 5:36
3. 13 Past 11 6:26
4. Fibre 6:52
5. Dog Shorts 6:34
6. Peyton’s Piece 6:59
7. 5280 7:43
8. Floating 7:39
9. Alt Facts 7:08

Total Running Time: 1:00:37