# Matrix (band)

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{{Short description|American jazz fusion group}}
{{About|the jazz fusion group|the production team|The Matrix (production team)|the DJ|Matrix (musician)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
'''Matrix''' is a [jazz fusion](/source/jazz_fusion) group from [Appleton, Wisconsin](/source/Appleton%2C_Wisconsin), that started in 1974, noted for tight brass ensemble lines and complex musical themes inspired by literary works, the [American Indian](/source/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States), and other significant programmatic themes.  Matrix made its biggest impact on the music scene in the 1970s, including appearances at the [Monterey Jazz Festival](/source/Monterey_Jazz_Festival) in 1976 and 1977 and the [Newport Jazz Festival](/source/Newport_Jazz_Festival) in 1977.<ref>{{cite web|title=Matrix Itinerary|url=https://kurtdietrich.net/matrix-band/matrix-itinerary/|accessdate=|date=May 7, 2026|website=Matrix Itinerary}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Nathan|first=Dave|title=Proud Flesh: A Matrix Reunion - Matrix : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/proud-flesh-a-matrix-reunion-mw0000661713|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=7 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Torreano|first=Bradley|title=Matrix - Music Biography, Credits and Discography|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/matrix-mn0000326694|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=7 May 2013}}</ref><ref name=thrasher>{{cite web|title="Matrix: Wisconsin Jazz Legends", Event Information - Thrasher Opera House Green Lake Wisconsin|url=http://www.thrasheroperahouse.com/thrasher/eventdetail.asp?event=1161|publisher=Thrasher Opera House|accessdate=7 May 2013|archive-date=January 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112051504/http://www.thrasheroperahouse.com/thrasher/eventdetail.asp?event=1161|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The group re-formed in 1992, 2000, 2002, and 2009.<ref name=thrasher/>

Albums include ''Matrix IX'' (also the original name of the band), ''Wizard'', ''Tale of the Whale'', ''Harvest'' and ''Proud Flesh''.

== Original members ==
* Michael Bard - saxophones
* Larry Darling - trumpet, flugelhorn, synthesizer, vocals
* Kurt Dietrich - trombone, synthesizer, vocals
* Randall Fird - bass, vocals
* Mike Hale - trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion, vocals
* John Harmon - keyboard
* Jeff Pietrangelo - trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion
* [Fred Sturm](/source/Fred_Sturm) - trombone, vocals
* Tony Wagner - drums

== Latest members (Warner Bros., Pablo touring era, circa 1977–1980) ==
* Larry Darling (Zap) - trumpet, flugelhorn, synthesizer, vocals
* Mike Hale (Tex) - trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion, vocals
* Jeff Pietrangelo (Chimp) - trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion
* Kurt Dietrich (Dietch) - trombone, synthesizer, vocals
* Brad McDougall (Barry) - bass trombone, euphonium, vocals
* John Kirchberger (Kirch) - tenor & soprano saxophones, flute, alto flute
* Randy Tico - bass
* John Harmon (Chief) - keyboard
* Michael Murphy (Murph) - drums
{{nbsp}}
* Peter Butler (Herb) - Senior Sound Engineer
* Doug Lautenschlager (Lauben) - Sound Engineer

== Discography ==
* ''Matrix IX'' (RCA - 1976)
* ''Wizard'' (Warner Bros. - 1978, reissued on CD in 2009. Wounded Bird Records)
* ''Tale of the Whale'' – Recorded in April 1979. Released 1979. Warner Brothers #BSK 3360. Spent 9 weeks on Billboard's Jazz LP chart in late 1979, peaking at #28 on 15 Sept.  Reissued on CD July 2009. Wounded Bird Records #WOU 3360.<ref>{{cite web|title=Matrix Discography - Tale of the Whale|url=https://www.matrixjazz.com/tale-of-the-whale.html|accessdate=7 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tale of the Whale - Matrix / Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards / AllMusic|website=[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/tale-of-the-whale-mw0000822976|accessdate=7 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Amazon.com/ Tale of the Whale/ Matrix/ Music|website=Amazon|url=https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Whale-Matrix/dp/B002A9MN4U/|accessdate=7 May 2013}}</ref> Tracks include: 1) The Fly, 2) Tale Of The Whale, 3) Homage, 4) Galadriel, 5) Nessim, and 6) Narouz.
* ''Harvest'' (Pablo - 1979)
* ''Proud Flesh'' (Summit - 2002)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|https://kurtdietrich.net/matrix-band/}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:American jazz fusion ensembles
Category:Musical groups established in 1974
Category:Musical groups from Wisconsin
Category:Summit Records artists
Category:American jazz ensembles

{{US-jazz-band-stub}}

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Matrix (band)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix_(band)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix_(band)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.