Matt Cowan was born and raised near San Francisco California. He began studying piano and saxophone at a young age and cultivated his skills at William Paterson University in New Jersey. There he studied with Jazz greats, such as Rufus Reid, Kenny Burrell, Gary Smulyan, John Riley, and Steve Turre. He then returned to California and began gigging steadily. His versatility led him to play with The Temptations, Reggae Legends Don Carlos and Horacee Andy, the Oakland Symphony, swing greats Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums, and cult rock band The Billy Nayer Show. In addition, he led his own trio at the Concord Jazz Festival and many venues around San Francisco. He has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, The Big Sur Jazz Festival, The Montreal Jazz Festival, and The Festival De Jazz in San Miguel De Allende, Mexico. A big highlight of his career was touring with the late great Rosemary Clooney. He played on Clooney's last two albums, both of which were nominated for grammies.
Currently living in New York, Matt is venturing into different aspects
of the music industry by composing and producing music for other artists,
film, television, and video games. Along with these other projects, he
continues to pursue his passion for performing by appearing in popular
venues in New York City as well as touring with his own group Tread. A
free jazz improv group comprised of three musicians from around the world,
Tread regularly tours Europe and has just completed their first CD.
Matt Cowan was born and raised near San Francisco California. He began studying piano and saxophone at a young age and cultivated his skills at William Paterson University in New Jersey. There he studied with Jazz greats, such as Rufus Reid, Kenny Burrell, Gary Smulyan, John Riley, and Steve Turre. He then returned to California and began gigging steadily. His versatility led him to play with The Temptations, Reggae Legends Don Carlos and Horacee Andy, the Oakland Symphony, swing greats Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums, and cult rock band The Billy Nayer Show. In addition, he led his own trio at the Concord Jazz Festival and many venues around San Francisco. He has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, The Big Sur Jazz Festival, The Montreal Jazz Festival, and The Festival De Jazz in San Miguel De Allende, Mexico. A big highlight of his career was touring with the late great Rosemary Clooney. He played on Clooney's last two albums, both of which were nominated for grammies.