Matthew Kaminski, originally from Chicago, IL began his studies in organ at the age of five. Matthew Kaminski was accepted as a pianist into the University of Arizona’s Jazz Studies department (Tucson), AZ). He studied with Gordon James, a jazz pianist. He also studied classical piano with Suzanne Knosp and jazz piano with Mike Eckroth while in Tucson. Matthew was a member of the Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo and attended master classes by Wynton Marsalis. The Jazz Ensemble featured special guests such as Dave Samuels, vibraphone/marimba musician, and Dave Friedman. Matthew transferred to Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA in 1998. He studied jazz and classical piano under Dr. Geoffrey Haydon. He also played with the Jazz Choir, Wind Ensemble, and the Georgia State Jazz Ensemble. He also attended master classes with Phil Markowitz and Lynne Arialle. He also performed with Scott Wendholt and Conrad Herwig. Matthew received the Friends of Rick Bell Jazz Scholarship in May 2000 and graduated with a Bachelors of music degree. Matthew returned to Georgia State University in January 2008 to complete a Master of Music degree. He studied jazz piano with Kevin Bales. He had the privilege of performing with jazz greats Jimmy Heath, Jon Faddis, and attending master classes by Bob Reynolds, Scott Giddens and Donald Brown. Matthew received a Masters of Music degree from the University of Minnesota in December 2011. Matthew graduated with a Masters of Music degree in December 2011. Matthew was a coordinator for a masterclass and performance by Joey DeFrancesco of the Georgia State Jazz Ensemble in April 2014. Matthew was appointed to the Atlanta Braves’ organist position in April 2009. Matthew can be heard at all home games at Turner Field, home to the Atlanta Braves. Matthew is the Braves’ organist. He has been featured on Fox 5’s “Good Morning Atlanta” (Fox 5), Fox 5’s “Good Day Extra” (Fox 5), NPR’s Weekend Edition (NPR), and the BBC. Matthew has also received positive reviews from Braves announcers Don Sutton, Joe Simpson, Jim Powell, and Chip Carey. Matthew also played the organ at the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State University baseball games. Matthew released “Taking My Time”, a debut CD on Chicken Coup Records (Summit Records), in 2010. It featured Matthew playing the Hammond B3 Organ. The album received positive reviews from Downbeat’ and Jazz Times’ as well as ‘All About Jazz’ and other prominent music publications. Matthew released “Swingin’ on the New Hammond”, also via Chicken Coup Records (Summit Records), in 2014. The album, which featured Dave Stryker (a jazz guitarist), made it onto the Jazz Chart. Matthew also released his own digital solo album entitled “Stadium Organ Sounds”, which contains the songs and ditties Matthew plays most often at Major League and college games. Matthew is a Hammond Organ / Leslie speaker Artist. He proudly plays on the Hammond SK1, SK2, XK3, Leslie 21 system speakers, and Hammond SK1. Matthew performs on both the old Hammond B3 organ as well as the Leslie 122 speaker. Matthew has been an accordion, piano and organ teacher full-time since 2001. He currently teaches at The North Fulton School of Music in Atlanta (located near Buckhead, Decatur), Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, Atlanta’s Druid Hills Area), as well as at the college level at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. from www.matthewkaminski.com
