# Matthew Stevens (musician)

Matthew Stevens (born 1982) is a Canadian jazz guitarist and composer.

## Biography

Stevens was born on 8 January 1982 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and studied piano and guitar at a young age. Since graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2004, Stevens has established himself in the contemporary jazz scene performing and recording with numerous artists including Christian Scott, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Esperanza Spalding.
Regarded to be one of the "most exciting up-and-coming jazz guitarists" in his generation, Stevens was placed in the Rising Star Guitar Category of the 63rd Annual DownBeat Critics Poll. His performances have been esteemed by numerous publications including Down Beat, NPR, Jazz Times, Billboard, and The New York Times.
His debut album as a leader, Woodwork, received stellar reviews from critics including Down Beat, All About Jazz, and the Ottawa Citizen. LA Weekly describes the album as "an amalgamation of modern jazz and neo-fusion elements which showcase ... sonic versatility and savvy producing chops".
Stevens has toured extensively in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and South America. He is also a member of the adjunct faculty at the New School and has taught workshops at the Maryland Summer Jazz Workshop, USC, and Berklee College of Music.
Stevens currently resides in New York City, New York.

## Awards and honors

* 2015: DownBeat magazine: The 63rd Annual DownBeat Critics Poll / Rising Star Guitar Category
* 2016: DownBeat magazine: “25 for the Future”

## Discography
### As a leader

* Woodwork (Whirlwind), 2015)
* Preverbal (Ropeadope, 2017)
* Pittsburgh (Whirlwind), 2021)

### As a sideman

| Year | Artist | Album | Label |
| 2006 | Christian Scott | Rewind That | Concord |
| 2007 | Christian Scott | Anthem | Concord |
| 2008 | Christian Scott | Live at Newport | Concord |
| 2009 | Walter Smith III & Mark Small | Bronze | Fresh Sound |
| 2010 | Jacky Terrasson | Push | Concord |
| 2010 | Christian Scott | Yesterday You Said Tomorrow | Concord |
| 2011 | Ben Williams | State of Art | Concord |
| 2011 | Sean Jones | No Need for Words | Mack Avenue |
| 2012 | ERIMAJ | Conflict of a Man | Don't Cry |
| 2012 | Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah | Christian aTunde Adjuah | Concord |
| 2013 | NEXT Collective | Cover Art | Concord |
| 2013 | Chris Turner | Lovelife Is a Challenge | Love Child |
| 2013 | Chet Doxas | Dive | Addo |
| 2013 | Leron Thomas | Whatever | Independent |
| 2014 | Harvey Mason | Chameleon | Concord |
| 2014 | Walter Smith III | Still Casual | Independent |
| 2015 | Justin Kauflin | Dedication | Qwest |
| 2015 | Michael Oien | And Now | Fresh Sound |
| 2015 | Ben Williams | Coming of Age | Concord Jazz |
| 2015 | Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah | Stretch Music | Ropeadope |
| 2016 | Esperanza Spalding | Emily's D+Evolution | Concord |
| 2017 | Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah | The Emancipation Procrastination | Ropeadope |
| 2017 | Esperanza Spalding | Exposure | Concord |
| 2017 | Linda May Han Oh | Walk Against Wind | Biophilia Records |
| 2018 | Esperanza Spalding | 12 Little Spells | Concord |
| 2019 | Terri Lyne Carrington & Social Science | The Waiting Game | Motéma |
| 2021 | Esperanza Spalding | Songwrights Apothecary Lab | Concord |
| 2022 | Terri Lyne Carrington | New Standards Vol 1 | Candid |
| 2023 | Walter Smith III | Return to Casual | Blue Note |
| 2024 | Esperanza Spalding | Milton + esperanza | Concord |