|
Matt O'Ree has been cranking out the blues-rock
since he was an early teen. With all the trappings
of a genuine guitar hero, he plays with fire in his
fingers and blues in his soul. At age 13, he sunk
his roots in the blues - Albert King, Howlin' Wolf,
to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. After
establishing a good foundation, at age 15, Matt
played in various bands, honing his skills through
time and pure dedication. This led to Matt being an
accomplished studio musician only two years later.
Matt went on to study as a music major in college
as well as start his own teachings with guitar
students. While working as an intern at a recording
studio, he began collaborating with various
musicians trying to bring his idea to life. It was
at this stage in his career that he found the right
blend of people to create the band. In 1997, Matt
began writing and recording material that evolved
into his debut CD, 88 Miles. It was released
in 1998 and gained national reviews and airplay,
pushing the band to a higher level which included
opening shows for national recording artists like
Kansas, Buddy Guy, Leslie West and Mountain, The
Outlaws, Gov't Mule, Robin Trower, Johnny Winter,
Dickie Betts, Gretchen Wilson, The Screamin Cheetah
Wheelies, Bernard Allison, Chris Duarte, Indigenous,
Robby Kreiger, Bill Perry, Walter Trout, Labambas
Big Band, and Smokin' Joe Kubek.
The completion of his second CD, Chalk It Up,
was the breaking point of blending blues and rock
together to form a unique sound of his own. This was
released in June 2001 and also received rave reviews
with regional and national press recognition and
airplay.
In the March 2006 issue of "Guitar World
Magazine" there is a review of Matt O'Ree's latest
release Shelf Life - appearing alongside
numerous rock legends including Audioslave,
Aerosmith, Jimi Hendrix, and The Deftones - that
claims that "New Jersey's Matt O'Ree is quickly
carving out a name for himself as 2006's new guitar
hero."
Some of Matt's most recent accomplishments
include:
Winner of Guitarmageddon "King of the Blues"
2006
hosted by BB King and John Mayer on 6/8/06
Won four 2005 Asbury Music Awards at the
Legendary Stone Pony for:
Best Blues Band
Best Guitarist
Best Local Release - "Shelf Life"
Best Song of the Year - "Saints & Sinners"
Sharing the stage with world famous drummer
Buddy Miles
Invited to play at Les Paul's Birthday Party
Finalists in the Jimi Hendrix Electric Guitar
Competition
Performed at the first NYC tribute to
legendary blues-rock guitarist Rory Gallagher,
winning him a standing ovation from a sold out crowd
|