Live Music - Recordings - LESSONS
About Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson was born in Louiseville, Kentucky, was raised in South Carolina, and moved to Miami, FL in 1998. Since the age of 15, Matt Johnson has been studying electric bass. With such influences such as Jaco Pastorius, Matthew Garrison, James Jameson, Francis "Roco" Prestia, Carol Kay, and Hadrien Ferraud, he began his musical career at Miami Dade College studying under former Beegee's bassist, Matt Bonelli.
After completing his Associates, he was accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he completed his Bachelor's in Professional Music while studying under such greats such as Matthew Garrison, Bruce Gertz, and Oscar Stagniaro (bassist for Paquito de Rivera).
After attending Berklee, Matt moved to Miami, FL and began his career as a freelance bassist, performing in various jazz, fusion, and top-40s ensembles throughout Florida and the United States.
In 2010, he received a full scholarship to Florida International University to pursue his Master of Arts Degree in Jazz Performance. He studied under Jamie Ousley on upright bass and graduated in 2012.
He is currently playing with some of the best musicians in the South and Central Florida region, teaches university courses at Miami-Dade College and also teaches private guitar and bass lessons.
Musical Influences
Jaco Pastorius
Matthew Garrison
James Jameson
Oscar Pettiford
Hadrien Ferraud
Carol Kay
Francis "Roco" Prestia
Genres
Jazz
Fusion
R&B
Rock
Pop
Top 40's
Funk
Brazilian
Latin
Dave Holland
Janek Gwizdala
Hank Mobley
Oscar Peterson
Ray Brown
Steve Jenkins
Other Favorite Artists
John Coltrane
Miles Davis
Art Blakey
Tower of Power
Wayne Shorter
Lettuce
Hiromi Uehara
Nero
Little Dragon