Saxophonist Matt Corey attributes his funky soulful playing to having grown up playing in his church alongside his trumpet playing older brother Jeff. In addition to leading his own band which features guitarist Rick Ward (The Ohio Players), Robert Johnson (Walter Beasley) and producer bassist Jody Daniels, Matt is also in high demand as a horn player for hire. His recent calls have included Mike Phillips (Prince/Stevie Wonder/Michael Jackson), up and coming indy rockers The Vindys, and Stephen Johnson’s (Charlie Wilson/The Gap Band) Funkyard X.
Matt’s 2020 single release (Old Town Road Gospel Jazz Remix), produced by Jody Daniels, was nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media Award which was ultimately won by Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind, and Fire.
Matt is graduate of the Youngstown State University where he studied Jazz Performance, Classical Saxophone, and holds a degree in music education. He is an alumnus of the widely recognized YSU Jazz Ensemble I, which he became a member of as a freshman alongside fellow incoming freshman and current trumpet superstar Sean Jones.
Early post YSU gigs included the lead soloist role in Blast 2: Shockwave at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center and Blast: Cyberjam which ran 9 months at the Queen’s Theatre in London. Variety Magazine singled out Matt’s solos and described them as “Exquistite.” Other standout performers in the cast included smooth jazz saxophonist Jessy J and trumpet phenom Adam Rapa.
Upon returning from London, Matt played brief stints with the Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras (which at the time featured Maynard Ferguson Chameleon Alumni Mark Colby and Bruce “The Badman Johnston)before rejoining college friends Jacob Blazer and Eric Penrod in the band Skinny. The band which was named number one unsigned band in the United States by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Mueseum released 4 albums. Their independent tour included dates alongside Dave Matthews Band, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Blessid Union of Souls, and Lil Wayne.
At the conclusion of touring with Skinny, Matt set out on his own solo tour. Earning “Male Solo Artist of The Year” five years in a row, Matt performed at nearly 400 colleges nationwide on bills with notable artists including Common, Cupid (Cupid Shuffle), Mike Posner, Joe Walsh, O.A.R., Yung Joc, New Boyz Third Eye Blind and even comedy legend Gallagher. Matt was also thrilled to have the opportunity to sit in with some of his favorite bands including the Average White Band and George Clinton & The P-Funk Allstars during this time.
In between college touring runs, Matt would frequently perform with longtime friends Hey Monea! Matt performed on Kid Rock’s “Chillen the Most Cruise”, The Rock Boat, The 311 Carribean Cruise, Rombello Cruise and even traveled to London once again to support Hey Monea at the Hard Rock Calling Festival, where they opened for Bruce Springsteen with special guest Sir Paul McCartney, Jon C Fogerty, Iggy Pop, and Lady Antebellum. That same year, Matt and Dan Monea had the honor of attending P. Diddy’s post Grammy party at the Playboy Mansion which of course included high profile guests like Paris Hilton, Busta Rhymes, and Sebastian Bach to name a few.
Matt has most recently been performing solo at popular elegant venues throughout Northeast Ohio such as Gervasi Vineyard, The Metropolitan at The 9, Dean Martin's Lanning's Restuarant as well as summer festivals with The Matt Corey Band. Matt's upcoming album produced by Jody Daniels features music by John Legend, Ella Mai, Tony! Toni! Toné!, Tevin Campbell and more. The upcoming album also features guest vocals from Grammy award winning Ohio Players member Billy Beck and Blaq Rose (Ka-ci and Jojo, Gerald Levert)
