06/24/2026
Fri 6/26, 8p - Matt Echols
Matthew Echols has a sweet soulful sound which makes it unmistakable, he grew up playing in his hometown Baptist church in Virginia. Matt has been wowing audiences for decades as a highly respected and sought after trombonist. At the age of eight his band director saw his vey long arms and declared he would play the trombone. He went on to perform all over the world in high school and as a military musician in the Marine Corps and Navy. He has performed for every U.S. president from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush, and even the King of Tonga in the South Pacific during his illustrious 20 years of service in the Military.
While attending Rutgers University for a Jazz performance degree after his military career, Matt studied under Grammy award winning jazz trombonist, Conrad Herwig. Matt performed with musical greats including the Mingus Bigband, the Captain Black Bigband, the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Victor Lewis, Eddie Palmieri, Joe Chambers, Kurt Elling, Randy Brecker, Delfayo Marsalis, Jeff Tain Watts, Frank Kumba Lacey, Ralph Bowen, Chuck Mangione, Lee Greenwood and Justin Kauflin. Matt relocated from the NYC area to Minnesota in 2019 where he performed at notable venues such as, Birdland, Blue Note, Smalls, Smoke, the Jazz Standard, and the Village Vanguard. Matt is currently working as a freelance musician in the Twin Cities, performing regularly with the JazzMN Orchestra.
Matt enjoys playing the trombone, bass guitar, Latin percussion, as well as vocals in a variety of genres including jazz, funk, fusion, soul, salsa, and classical. He also teaches privately and some of his students have gone on to phenomenal musical careers including collegiate level directors of music.
