Matthew Fogg: First Yamaha Artist In Education Endorsee

from Accent Magazine Winter 2008, Volume 68

Yamaha is proud to announce 28-year old jazz pianist and teacher Matthew Fogg is the first endorsee under a new program titled Artists in Education. Living up to Yamaha’s long and dedicated history of supporting music education, Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs, Inc. has developed this new program to support those devoted to both creating and teaching music.

“This program was important to us because we wanted to be able to support the world-class musicians who also dedicate their time to education,” saya Chris Gero, Vice President of Yamaha Corporate Artist Affairs, Inc. Fogg says he is thrilled to be welcomed into the Yamaha Artist family and to be recognized for both his playing and teaching, two things that hold equal importance in his life. Fogg plays and teaches with Yamaha acoustic C2 or C3 conservatory grand pianos and a U1 upright piano.

“It is an exciting new step forward for all of Yamaha as we recognize the contributions to music and music education by these new Yamaha Artist educators,” says Mike Bates, Director of Yamaha Institutional and Commercial Services. “Far from the old adage ‘those who can’t perform teach,’ these fine musicians are also straight-ahead great performers, inspiring their students to reach for the highest quality performances they can achieve…and showing them how it’s done.”

Fogg’s musical journey began as a trumpet player at the ag of ten, but after taking an interest in legendary jazz musicians Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett during his high school years, he quickly developed a passion for jazz piano. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Music Education with an emphasis on piano. Following graduation Fogg embarked on a career as an educator, working as the director of choral music at Morse High School in Bath, Maine. Ever drawn to the world of creating and performing, Fogg maintained an active schedule as an artit as well.

“It was never a question of either/or or me. I always wanted to be a teacher, but playing came very natural to me as well,” says Fogg. “Ultimately I ended up with two seperate career paths that were joined by the love of music. I feel like being an educator complements being an artist becaue it leads me through a constant process of discovery.”

While at UNH, Fogg began a musical colaboration with Voclist Nicole Hajj, and it was with her that he recorded Live at The Azure Cafe, an album that garnered glowing revoews and recieved airplay in numerous states and half a dozen countries. In 2005, he was asked to join an impressive roster of artists performing for jazz legend Clark Terry’s 85th birthday celebration. In May 2006, he released This is What You Want, an album that allowed Fogg to experiment with vintage keyboards and embraced a wide range of musical styles. As with Azure, it was greeted with consistently positive reviews and earned him special praise for his keyboard and arranging skills.

Fogg continues to educate, currently spending his daylight hours as the Music Education/Choral Music Director for the Lyman Moore Middle School in Portland, ME. He is also the adjunct professor at Bowdoin College and at the University of Maine in Augusta.

Success Stories: Matt Fogg – Teacher And Musician

from The Maine Switch January 10, 2008 by Amber Olesen

Living on the West End in Portland, married with a 4-month-old son, Matthew Fogg juggles a very busy lifestyle. Both a musician and teacher, this 29-year-old has a long list of artistic activities and musical interests.

Developing his talents at a young age playing trumpet, Fogg entered the Regional Music Festival. But after hearing a jazz trio play, he set his sights on piano, which proved to be a better fit. He attended the University of New Hampshire and received a degree in music education, and Fogg now uses that knowledge to teach jazz piano at Lyman Moore Middle School, in classes at the University of Maine in Augusta and Bowdoin College and privately at the Tony Boffa School of Music.

“Teaching informs and enhances my music vocabulary … we pull out a tune, start working and they plant a seed,” Fogg says of his students. He describes teaching music as an improvisational relationship — never dictating. Fogg speaks enthusiastically of having specific goals for his students but encourages them to have fun and explore their own talents. Working with students of all levels and abilities lends inspiration to Fogg’s own music.

In addition to teaching, Fogg has several ongoing ventures. He does freelance work as a jazz pianist, playing at Azure Café in Freeport as well as clubs, restaurants and private parties. Fogg frequently teams with singer Nicole Hajj and they recorded a CD together in 2005 called Live at the Azure Café (Find it at www.mattfogg.com). In 2006, Fogg recorded an original CD called “This is What You Want”. Also a member of Jaye Drew and A Moving Train, a hip hop/funk band, Fogg says the band is “five different people with different backgrounds coming together to create an original sound.” A CD is in the works for this group as well. Fogg also makes time for Retrospecticus, a cover band made up of friends, which plays the local bar scene. Fogg was the first recipient of the Yamaha Artist in Education award, given to recognize performers who spend time teaching others. “I would love to use my music advocacy and convince people to do more incredible things with music in schools and different organizations,” he says.

About six months ago, Fogg began to focus on his voice and singing capabilities. “As I grow up and get older, I think of what I can do to have a successful music career,” he says. “Learning to combine musical talents with personality is the key to branding as an artist. Once my vocals are on point, I am going to cut my own album, combining the piano with the vocals. “My utopic world would be to wake up, have a cup of coffee, play with my child and then go down and make music in my studio.” When applauded for how much he does for the music community, Fogg simply says, “We all do what we do and try to make a positive impact.” As a composer, performer and teacher, he seems well on his way to influencing the musical world in Maine and beyond.

Demolition

from www.goodtimesmag.com – December 12, 2006 by Syl Nathan

Morgan Fogg & Grimmett - This Is What You Want

Matt Fogg is clearly one of the region’s preeminent musicians. It appears he can play anything – jazz, blues, swing, pop, you name it. Once again, he displays his varied musicianship, sharp production skills, and incredible keyboard acumen on this recently released group CD, which is quite different from his previous albums.

Fogg has set the bar quite high for himself; nothing he ever does will top the live performance document he issued with Nicole Hajj, Live At The Azure Café, the overall best CD released in Maine last year. However, this group, featuring Fogg on various keyboards, vocalist Cheri Gaudet Grimmett, guitarist Scott Morgan, bassist Andy Rice, and percussionist Shawn Boissonneault, comes darn close. No one should ever tar New England as an “unsophisticated” music area – not with such vibrant and original jazz music such as this coming from within its borders.

The album of mostly originals veers into pop at times, but it’s amazing in that many of the tunes are of such high quality that they could become standards. The amazing “Love/Hate Relationship” merges a clever lyric and an out of this world chord progression to challenge the listener without becoming overwhelming. “Bounce,” “Blues For Steve,” and “Huntin’” continue to forge Fogg’s rep as an outstanding composer, particularly of instrumentals. And throughout, Grimmett’s vocals charm, tease, and cajole in perfect harmony with the mood of each piece. Add to that Morgan’s fluid, expressive guitar, and it’s a complete and varied package that pleases the ears like few other local releases. Stunning.

We don’t want to lay on the hype too thick; it suffices to say that every project puts his attention to is pure gold in terms of artistic achievement. Here’s hoping he and his compatriots get the recognition they deserve for being among the east coast’s jazz elite. Written from the perspective of a New Yorker (where this review was written), Morgan Fogg & Grimmett are Blue Note bait. C’mon down; we could use more great jazz in these parts, too.

Want It All: Morgan and Grimmett find themselves in the Fogg

from The Phoenix – August 2, 2006 by Sam Pfeifle

Morgan Fogg & Grimmett - This Is What You Want

Morgan Fogg & Grimmett, like Medeski Martin & Wood, eschew the comma on their debut release together, but they embrace the period on This Is What You Want. Seriously, it’s got a period at the end of the title, which is why that period you see at the end of that sentence is technically in italics (also causing serious dilemma as to whether that sentence should have ended with two periods — it was just too silly to actually do).

After the first track, you might even think they were headed MMW’s way musically. “Blues for Steve” opens like Steely Dan’s “Reeling in the Years” but without the bite, and guitarist Scott Morgan (Tribe Describe) doesn’t get too carried away in trying to imitate the song’s title, leaving us with an interesting extended solo to sink our teeth into early. Plus, you’ve got to love the tone of pianist Matt Fogg’s organ (I’m pretty sure it’s a Wurlitzer, but he plays Fender Rhodes and Hammond C3 here as well, and I’m not going put myself all the way out there).

But on track two, “Bottle Down,” when vocalist Cheri Gaudet Grimmett (Tribe Describe, too) makes her debut, it’s clear this trio-plus aren’t going to be quite that adventurous, though they do get a little bit Santana on “Huntin’.” Shawn Boissoneault goes with the brushes, and Grimmett does the lounge-singer thing.

From there on out, the album is something of a mixed bag. Rock elements from Morgan are interspersed with more-jazzy solos from clarinetist Brad Terry and flautist Carl Dimow (Casco Bay Tummelers), and Fogg’s piano and organ takes are certainly virtuosic, but the album has a hard time establishing a rhythm with a wide variety of song styles, including a cut that opens with a decidedly Middle Eastern vibe.

As a jazz album, this is very mainstream accessible, and at times ambitious, benefiting especially from original cuts instead of the standards that populated the last release from Fogg, Live at the Azure Cafe. But I’m not totally sold on the songwriting, either — “Go Down Moses”? “Pharaoh, let my people go.”

The Night Is Young

from The Portland Press Herald – August 2, 2006 by Aimsel L. Ponti

Morgan Fogg & Grimmett - This Is What You Want

I listened to “This Is What You Want,” the debut release from Morgan, Fogg & Grimmett, over dinner on Monday night and quickly realized I had made a good decision.

Matt Fogg is something of a jazz piano virtuoso, not to mention an accomplished arranger. He also fell in love with Wurlitzer and Hammond organs. Scott Morgan, of another local act, Tribe Describe, also shines on the record with his guitar. Singer Cheri Gaudet Grimmett ties it all together with her bright, polished voice.

The record starts out on an instrumental note with “Blues in the Water,” which has a bluesy guitar feel courtesy of Morgan and is laced with the sound of Fogg’s vintage organ. Then we are introduced to Grimmett’s singing via “Bottle Down,” which also shows off the dazzling, free-flowing piano chops of Fogg.

The record has a fantastic flow to it and is genre-bending throughout. “Go Down Moses” clocks in at over 7 minutes and starts off with the distant sound of African drums, among other instruments. It sounds like a nouveau olde spiritual.

Jazz fans will dig this record for sure, but so will anyone looking for something as refreshing as a Mojito on the beach with added shots of soul, spirit, heart and sparkle. Visit www.mattfogg.com, where you can dig some samples off the record and read more about the twists and turns that culminated with the release of “This Is What You Want.”

Morgan, Fogg & Grimmett CD release show, 7:30 p.m. Saturday [August 5, 2006] (followed by reception), Maine Sound Stage, Fort Andross, Brunswick, $10, reserve by calling 229-2738 or 837-2955.

First Review of Morgan, Fogg, & Grimmett’s This Is What You Want

from www.MuzikReviews.com by Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Morgan Fogg & Grimmett - This Is What You Want

This is one of those great CDs where I have a hard time figuring out where to start, which is a good omen for the artists.

Morgan Fogg & Grimmett say This Is What You Want, and you know what? It most certainly is. This is a great indie release; there really is not a thing about it that I dislike. It helps to have a deep love and understanding of the jazz idiom to feel this way. Jazz is not and never has been cut and dried. What this band accomplishes in the twelve tracks on this CD is to shine a light on all the best components of the genre. Rather than performing dutifully, they give the genre all the respect it deserves and have fun at the same time.

The three featured artists are Matt Fogg (Piano, Wurlitzer 200A, Hammond C3, and Fender Rhodes) Cheri Gaudet Grimmett (vocals), and Scott Morgan (guitar). Fogg is an accomplished keyboard wizard; he jumps back and forth between the acoustic piano, the fabulous Wurlizter 200A, and to the old standby the Hammond C3. Fogg colors each track with variations on each particular theme through different textures, as if there was a selection of buttons in front of him to push and engage a mood or atmosphere that was appropriate to the lyrics that Gaudet was singing. Gaudet is also a seasoned veteran fronting a unit; she swings with the best of them and gives it her all on every track. Her energy seems to be a good fit for the rock solid instrumentation provided on this release. I really liked her upbeat tone and style; no doubt, she was made for jazz. Laced in between and all around this activity is the guitar of Scott Morgan, a very capable individual, his playing is consistently outstanding and versatile throughout.

I especially enjoyed the opening track, the instrumental “Blues For Steve,” a bluesy shuffle that highlights a band that is in total alignment with each other. Being partial and more critical of instrumentals, because there is only one ingredient to focus on, I am not easy to impress. I must say that the track was very enjoyable and I could have easily listened to an entire CD of this style of music, but then I would be missing the wonderful vocals of Ms. Gaudet. There is just so much to like here! “Huntin’” was one that really perked my ears up because of the rockin’ guitar courtesy of Scott Morgan. It is still jazz mind you and some good solid fusion that lets everyone know that indeed they can cut loose, rock out, and still be a jazz band. I liked “Go Down Moses” too, the title and the words are great, and the melody sublime, a jazz composition does not get much better for simplicity and snappy freshness.

I could on forever about this CD but I won’t. This is a wonderful selection of songs featuring a superb band delivering the goods-it is as simple as that.

Morgan Fogg & Grimmett

These photos were taken from the shoot for the album This Is What You Want by Morgan Fogg & Grimmet in 2006. The project was a collaboration between Matt Fogg, guitarist Scott Morgan, and vocalist Cherri Guadet-Grimmett.