Todd Matheson, Trumpet & Guitar
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| photo by Bill Klotz |
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Todd Matheson was born August 24, 1956 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, to musician parents, Bill & Jean Matheson. They owned “Matheson’s Music” where they gave lessons and sold guitars. They also had a band that played gigs at the clubs and music halls around the Detroit Lakes and Fargo areas. “They were always playing ‘dance jobs’ on the weekends“, recalls Todd. “One of my first recollections was my mother showing me In the Mood on the piano when I was 5. I distinctly remember that one because it was on the ‘black keys’." (in Ab) He then took piano and accordian lessons. Todd performed at his school, in recitals and at area nursing homes.
At age 10 he began studying trumpet and played in the Detroit Lakes band program. At age 13 began playing guitar performing in concerts in school and around the area as well as playing in his father’s dance band.
In 1975 at age 19 he attended Moorhead State University and studied trumpet under Dr. Al “Doc” Noice and played in the MSU Jazz ensemble for 4 years. He also studied guitar with Dr. James Condell. He won awards for outstanding soloist at jazz festivals in Eau Claire and Madison. In 1976 he began playing in local R&B bands, jazz combos and doing studio work. He arranged and directed the music for many of the broadway type shows of the Red River Dance and Performance Company of Fargo. At that time Todd was awarded Minnesota Composers Grant and played a subsequent concert of original music.
In 1980 Todd joined the Michael James Band, a rockin’ R&B band that played in Fargo, Minneapolis and the upper midwest and recorded a couple of albums. In 1982 the band moved to Minneapolis to take advantage of the burgoning music scene there. Later in 1985 Todd formed the Groove Merchants and led that band for three years playing in all the blues clubs in the area. In 1988 and 1990 he won the Minnesota Blues Music Award for outstanding brass player. During these years he also played with Percy Strother, Big Walter, Steve Millar, Doug Maynard, Solid Senders, Joe Juliano, Danny's Reasons among others.
“I loved playing with Percy and did an album with him. The high point for me was when the band performed a concert in Orchestra Hall in 1991 opening for BB King. The place was packed and the band smoked.”
In 1995 Todd formed the band Streetside Rhythm, an offshoot of the North Hennipen Community College Big Band. While with Streetside Rhythm he recorded an album, “Brass Attack” featuring Queenie and the big horn section sound.
Todd currently is leading the Tim Patrick and his Blue Eyes Band. He also plays with the Acme Jazz Company, the Minnesota Jazz Orchestra, R Factor and Boku Jacks.
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Detroit Lakes high School Jazz band
Moorhead State University
Michael James band
Michael james band
Percy Strother
Streetside Rhythm
Nova jazz Orchestra
Nova Jazz Orchestra
Jimeo
Nova Jazz Orchestra
Tim Patrick & his Blue Eyes
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Thanks to...
Let the good times roll
Good woman is hard to find
Brass attack
Playing to a hard room
In a lucid moment
Jimeo
Odd Christmas
Layin' it Down
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