MP3 Jamal Mathis - Music in the Mix

This album consist of an instrumental trio playing a variety of genres from swing and blues, to pop, rock, funk, samba, and salsa in a jazzy style with improvised solos on piano, bass, and drums.

12 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Traditional Jazz Combo, JAZZ: Smooth Jazz



Details:
Jamal Frank Mathis, was born and raised in the southern state of Dallas, Texas. He is the second born child of Willie and Alice Mathis. He has two siblings: Jemilah and Kamila Mathis. At the age of ten, Jamal began taking piano lessons from Janice Thompson. His interest in piano started when he saw the girl he had a "crush" on playing the piano in her lesson with Janice Thompson. Longing to impress her, Jamal begged his mother to sign him up to take piano lessons with Janice Thompson. Eventually, she said yes, but a few weeks later, Jamal's "crush" dropped out. Knowing that Jamal had begged his mother to take piano lessons, he continued. After six years of lessons, Jamal was playing virtuoso pieces of all styles. He never knew that playing the piano would have a powerful effect on him. He was awarded numerous plaques, trophies, and certificates by his teacher, church, and school. Janice encouraged him to play for his local church choir, and as of today, he is still their accompanist. Jamal composed his first composition at the age of sixteen. The composition is entitled "Memories", which is the last track on his debut album: "MUSIC IN THE MIX". Most of the compositions he writes is inspired, but the majority of them are true stories or events in his life. "God has inspired me to take music to that next level and to bring out the aesthetics of all styles of music through acoustics, electronics, and any other way possible," Mathis said. Not only does he want to help others in developing their musical dreams, but he is willing to work with anybody who is trying to make it in the business. "I am constantly searching for upcoming musicians and singers with unique talents."
In the fall of 2000, Jamal attended Cedar Valley College and studied music composition and jazz. He was fascinated by his piano teacher Arlington Jones, and the way Jones played jazz. Jones encouraged him to continue playing jazz and listen to the jazz masters such as: Basie, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington, Monk, Chick Corea, and Miles Davis. On December 12, 2002, Jamal received a certificate of completion in Commercial Music from Cedar Valley. He continued his education and transferred to Andrews University where he studied with Dr. Peter Cooper. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance on August 2006. Coming from a family of musicians, Mathis believes that he was born to make music. His grandmother was a pianist, his uncle plays the trumpet, and another uncle sings in the church choir. While growing up, Jamal gave public recitals in his local area, played solo performances of all styles, joined his school band, and was hired to play for weddings, funerals, banquets, and concerts. During college, taking music history and world music classes opened his understanding and concept of ethnomusicology. Being acquainted with different styles, techniques, performers, and cultures motivated Mathis to assemble his own style and technique of composing music. He decided to gather all the experience, talent and literature he had received from his teachers and role-models to compose music that has a style of classical jazz with a mixture of different genres. Mathis says, "Classical music is my foundation, but jazz and different styles of music is my forte." Now today and in the future, Jamal wants to work with various artist, write many compositions and eventually start his own music company. He knows for a fact that all things are possible through his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

"I want to encourage every musician to be versatile and play in all styles efficiently; therefore, they'll have no limits."
-- Jamal Mathis