{{Short description|American musician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}} {{Infobox person | name = Dan Matrazzo | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1959|02|13}} | birth_place = Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan | nationality = | other_names = | known_for = Keyboard player, composer and record producer | notable_works = | website = | education = Berklee College of Music }} {{BLP refimprove|date=July 2025}}

'''Dan Matrazzo''' (born 13 February 1959), also known as "Dr. Dan Matrazzo" or simply "Dr. Dan", is an American keyboardist and pianist. He was a band member and composer for the blues musician Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. Matrazzo started playing the piano at the age of three in 1962 and performed classical recitals while growing up in Tokyo. His uncle was a well known big band leader and bassist for Japanese TV networks.

His album ''Timeless'', which he recorded with Brown, was nominated for a Grammy Award.<ref name="Dr. Dan">{{cite web |url=http://www.mbus.com/bands/genadm/Dr..Dan.htm |title=Dr. Dan |website=Mbus.com |access-date=2011-10-27 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112091748/http://www.mbus.com/bands/genadm/Dr..Dan.htm |archivedate=2011-11-12 }}</ref> Matrazzo's piano music can also be found on Brown's album ''Real Life''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1002950/a/Real+Life.htm |title=Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Real Life Audio CD |website=Cduniverse.com|access-date=2013-01-22}}</ref>

Matrazzo was the founder, composer and producer for the band Fiji Mariners. Matrazzo has also played shows and toured with James Cotton and Taj Mahal, and has appeared on stage with Russell Malone, Lew Soloff, Phish, Blues Traveller, John Scofield, Michael Brecker, Les Claypool, Gov’t Mule, Ween, Lowell Fulson, George Porter Jr., Stanton Moore, Morphine, The Allman Brothers,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abbdiscography.com/cdr12thannchrjam.htm |title=12th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS JAM |website=Abbdiscography.com |date=2000-12-21 |access-date=2011-10-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917161534/http://www.abbdiscography.com/cdr12thannchrjam.htm |archive-date=2011-09-17 }}</ref> Widespread Panic,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://widespreadpanic.com/archive/2011/03/archive-podcast-44-for-the-week-of-31611/ |title=Archive Podcast #45: For the week of 3/16/11 |website=Widespreadpanic.com |access-date=2011-10-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829000930/http://widespreadpanic.com/archive/2011/03/archive-podcast-44-for-the-week-of-31611/ |archive-date=2011-08-29 }}</ref> and others.<ref name="Theapp.appstate.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.theapp.appstate.edu/archives_00-01/00-08-22/entertainment.htm |title=The Appalachian Online &#124; Archives |website=Theapp.appstate.edu |date= |access-date=2011-10-27}}</ref> Matrazzo's professional journey began in 1975 as a teenager playing at sold-out arenas with the Japanese guitarist Char.<ref name="The Smoky Mountain News">{{cite web|url=http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/08_00/08_23_00/arts_dr_dan.shtml |title=The Smoky Mountain News |publisher=The Smoky Mountain News |access-date=2011-10-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928060545/http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/08_00/08_23_00/arts_dr_dan.shtml |archive-date=2011-09-28 }}</ref> In 1981 Matrazzo recorded on the album ''Cloudland/Pink Cloud'' on VAP Records with Nobuki Yoshinaga, Masayoshi Kabe, Hisato "Char" Takenaka.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://musicmedia.blog.shinobi.jp/Entry/1579/ |language=Japanese |title=The Listener of Music Media CLOUDLAND(桃源郷)／PINK CLOUD|website=Musicmedia.blog.shinobi.jp |access-date=2013-01-22}}</ref> From there he went on touring the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East with Clarence Brown and numerous other musical outfits, including several appearances at all major European Jazz festivals.{{fact|date=May 2021}}

In the 1980s and 1990s when Matrazzo was not touring, he worked with the Atlanta-based group Life Force as educator and played concerts including the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics and the Northsea Jazz Festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spelman.edu/academics/programs/music/faculty/jennings.shtml |title=Joseph W. Jennings, Director, Spelman College Jazz Ensemble |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126012105/http://www.spelman.edu/academics/programs/music/faculty/jennings.shtml |archive-date=2011-11-26 |access-date=2013-01-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iwasdoingallright.com/atlanta-jazz/musicians/ |title=IWasDoingAllRight - Jazz Blog, Ear Training, Jazz Trumpet, Atlanta Jazz |access-date=2013-01-22 |archive-date=18 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618174608/http://www.iwasdoingallright.com/atlanta-jazz/musicians/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1992 to 1994, Matrazzo and Char reunited with the band, the Psychedelix, and toured extensively in Japan and also staged concerts in Los Angeles and New York.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beatmania.net/artist-sa/psychedelix20thmarch.htm |language=Japanese |title=音楽ビデオ「PSYCHEDELIX 20th March 1994 / サイケデリックス」の通販 |website=Beatmania.net|access-date=2013-01-22}}</ref> Together they released an album ''Live At NHK Hall'' and other DVDs and performed on 20 March at the Shibuya Public Hall in Tokyo.{{fact|date=May 2021}}

In 1996 to 1995 Matrazzo performed with Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie, recording the tracks for his album ''Rendezvous With The Blues'' on Hammond B3.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmy-hall-p18089 |title=Jimmy Hall on AllMusic |website=AllMusic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521000952/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmy-hall-mn0000850971 |archive-date=2013-05-21 |access-date=2013-01-22 }}</ref> He also recorded on Gregg Allman's album on Chrysalis Records in 1996.{{Which|date=July 2025}}

His 2000 solo release ''Dan on the Moon'', produced by David Z, was released by Terminus Records with Sam Sims on bass, Lil' John Roberts on drums, and Warren Haynes on guitar.<ref name="The Smoky Mountain News"/> ''Dan on the Moon'' was considered to be the defining album of a new genre which jam fans immediately dubbed "Space Funk",<ref name="Dr. Dan"/> though it explored many styles of music from funk and blues, soul, progressive rock, and classical piano.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

From 2005 to 2011, Matrazzo focused mainly on traditional and post-bebop jazz music, but then began touring with The Looters,<ref name=jam>{{cite web|url=http://www.jambands.com/news/2011/09/28/dr-dan-matrazzo-returns-to-jam-and-funk |title=Need We Say More? - News - Dr. Dan Matrazzo Returns to Jam and Funk |website=Jambands.com |date=2011-09-28 |access-date=2011-10-27}}</ref> who are also known for backing Blue Note Records' Kristina Train, Rosa King, and Saskia Laroo.<ref name=jam/> In 2015 Matrazzo and the Looters released an album on Home Grown Records.<ref name=":0" />

In 2013 Matrazzo reunited with John Scofield as well as Gov't Mule at the 25th annual Christmas Jam in Asheville, North Carolina.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jambands.com/news/2013/12/12/dr-dan-matrazzo-to-join-aru-john-scofield-uberjam-at-christmas-jam|title=Dr. Dan Matrazzo to Join ARU, John Scofield Uberjam at Christmas Jam|website=Jambands.com |date=12 December 2013 }}</ref>

In 2015 Gov't Mule released the album ''Sco-Mule'' with Matrazzo on keyboards, John Scofield on guitar, and a host of other musicians including Jimmy Herring. This was recorded at the Georgia Theatre and the Roxy in Atlanta, Georgia.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://homegrownmusic.net/store/cd/dr.-dan-matrazzo-the-looters-cd|title=Dr. Dan Matrazzo & the Looters CD|website=Homegrownmusic.net}}</ref>

Matrazzo's music has been used by MTV for opening songs for a murder and mystery show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/redflagmedia/docs/aims_flip_83|title=AIMS Magnet #83|website=Issuu.com|date=30 November 2011 |language=en|access-date=2019-02-14}}</ref> Later in 2017, there were sessions with Corky Laing of Mountain and Chris Barron and guitarist Eric Schenkman of the Spin Doctors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://salutemag.com/2017/05/02/colonel-bruce-hampton-dead-70/|title=Salute|last=Offner|first=Daniel|date=2017-05-02|website=Salute Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-14}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Matrazzo, Dan}} Category:1959 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century American pianists Category:21st-century American pianists Category:21st-century American keyboardists Category:20th-century American male pianists Category:21st-century American male pianists