• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0IdXMEunGU
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV9gIfO2_Bg

Born and raised in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, guitarist Matt Richards grew up in the culturally
fertile cross-currents of the late 1960s. His musical pathway opens in the mix of folk, rock and
psychedelic music that defined that decade and eventually guides him into the hyperactive
jazz-fusion of the 1970s. Initially a self-taught player, Matt began earnestly developing the
technically advanced musical abilities necessary to be part of that highly-energized genre. As
his musicianship developed, he discovered straight-ahead jazz and classical music and began
incorporating the acoustic guitar in various projects. He assimilated Spanish, Latin American
and various world influences while developing a unique fingerstyle approach to solo guitar.

With his acoustic performances, Matt gathers musical styles and influences together to create
his unique approach to solo guitar. He has been featured as a solo artist on a variety of
televised programs, including Miles of Music and Puerto Rican Panorama. Matt performed
on-screen in the independent film Smoke And Mirrors. He has been featured at the Montreal
Jazz Festival, the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival, the Frankford Arts Festival, the NAMM
Winter and Summer Shows, the Montreal Guitar Show, One Month Festival of South Korea,
Daniel Pearl Music Days and Welcome America celebrations. In 2015 Matt established the
locally-based Solo Guitar On A Saturday Morning performance series.

In duo settings, Matt has collaborated with guitarists Larry Coryell, Tony Hughes and Emiliano
Pardo, flutist Katherine Barbato and vocalists JayKatz and Phyllis Chapell. While he has led a number of his own groups, Matt's current trio, the Power Trio Jazz Project, allows him and his band members the opportunity to bring their energized, interactive skills together with stunning results. The group's current roster of first-rate musical talent includes bassist Steve Beskrone and drummers Mike Clark, Kenwood Dennard or Adrian Valosin.

Matt has also worked with a range of established artists, including Arlyn Wolters, Joey
DeFrancesco, Café, Essra Mohawk, Herbie Nix, Marlon Simon, Elio Villafranca, and Bobby
Zankel. He has played in support for artists such as Paco Pena, Peppino D'Agostino, Richie
Havens and Dave Mason.

A current faculty member at the Ambler Music Academy, Matt has logged close to 30 years as a private music instructor. Previously the Head of Faculty at the FrankfordStyle School for Creative Arts,  he also served as Music Program Director for Zanaras Music Stores. In addition to private instruction, Matt's workshops and master classes focus on playing techniques, arranging and performing. His most recent workshop, Arranging For Solo Guitar, is being featured in conjunction with his concerts and as a stand-alone event.

Balance, an all-solo-guitar recording and Matt's fifth release, is now in post-production.