I do my best to keep this calendar updated with all the current happenings. You can also join my mailing list to receive an occasional announcement about new recordings, performances and other music-related news. Hope to see you at a show!
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2019
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Sat26Jan2019
Judging for APA Jazz Piano Competition
6pmThe Jazz Kitchen
Indianapolis, IN
Five finalists vie for the world’s hottest prize in jazz: the American Pianists Awards Cole Porter Fellowship, worth over $100,000. -
Tue29Jan2019
with Keith Hall & Andrew Rathbun
7:30-9:30O'Duffy's Pub
Kalamazoo, MI
A casual night of music at my local watering hole. Andrew Rathbun – saxophone
Keith Hall – drum stuff
Matthew Fries – electric piano -
Thu07Feb2019
with Scott Cowan
7pmThe Union Cabaret & Grille
Kalamazoo, MI
A performance of music by my colleague at Western Michigan University: Scott Cowan – trumpet
Matthew Fries – piano
Keith Hall – drums -
Sat16Feb2019
Gilmore KeysFest
Kalamazoo, MI
Visit the Gilmore Website for more information:
https://www.thegilmore.org/keysfest -
Sat23Feb2019
Judging for APA Jazz Piano Competition
6pmThe Jazz Kitchen
Indianapolis, INFive finalists vie for the world’s hottest prize in jazz: the American Pianists Awards Cole Porter Fellowship, worth over $100,000. -
Thu14Mar2019
with Mike Rodriguez
7pmThe Union Cabaret & Grille
Kalamazoo, MI
A performance with visiting guest artist, Mike Rodriguez. -
Fri15Mar2019
with Mike Rodriguez
5pmWMU Trumpet Day
Dalton Center
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MIA performance with visiting guest artist, Mike Rodriguez. -
Thu21Mar2019
MF Quartet
7pmThe Union Cabaret & Grille
Kalamazoo, MIMatthew Fries – piano
Scott Cowan – trumpet
Andrew Peck – bass
Keith Hall – drums -
Sun24Mar2019
Double-piano Quartet with Rufus Ferguson
7-8:15pmJazz and Creative Institute
310 North Rose Street
Kalamazoo, MIJCI Presents
The Jazz and Creative Institute is proud to present an intimate performance series featuring both emerging and established artists, titled JCI Presents. Our listening room environment provides attentive audiences for visiting/touring artists and the Kalamazoo area’s own thriving jazz artists. This series is free to the public with suggested donations.
Rufus Ferguson – piano
Matthew Fries – piano
Stanley Ruvinov – bass
Madison George – drums -
Tue16Apr2019
with Keith Hall & Andrew Rathbun
7:30-10pmO'Duffy's Pub
Kalamazoo, MIA casual night of music at my local watering hole.Andrew Rathbun – saxophone
Keith Hall – drum stuff
Matthew Fries – electric piano -
Sun28Apr2019Wed01May2019
with Curtis Stigers
Denmark Tour
4/28: Posten in Odense
4/29: Amager Bio in Copenhagen
4/30: Amager Bio in Copenhagen
5/1: Skive Theater in SkiveCurtis Stigers – vocals/sax
Matthew Fries – piano
Cliff Schmitt – bass
Paul Wells – drums -
Thu02May2019
Solo Piano Concert
8pmVinspecialisten Nyborg
Nørregade 9
5800 Nyborg
+45 6531 0261
facebook.com/vinspecialistennyborg
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Fri10May2019Sat11May2019
Duo with Steve LaSpina
9pm-1amKnickerbocker Bar & Grill
33 University Place
NYC
Call for dinner reservations: 212 228 8490
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Mon13May2019
MF Trio with Sam Weber & Jay Sawyer
6-10pmHillstone
E54th & 3rd Ave
NYC
I’ve been playing on the Steinway B tucked in the corner of the lively bar in this steak-n-ribs joint with some fantastic musicians 2-3 times a week since 2002! No cover charge and the food is delicious. Come for the music. Stay for the spinach and artichoke dip! -
Thu16May2019
MF Trio with Peter Brendler & Paul Wells
6-10pmHillstone
E54th & 3rd Ave
NYCI’ve been playing on the Steinway B tucked in the corner of the lively bar in this steak-n-ribs joint with some fantastic musicians 2-3 times a week since 2002! No cover charge and the food is delicious. Come for the music. Stay for the spinach and artichoke dip! -
Fri17May2019
with Kelley Suttenfield: The Neil Young Project
7pmThe Bitter End
147 Bleecker St
New York City, NYCD preview show for Kelley’s Neil Young Project – classic Young tunes re-imagined for a jazz group.
Kelley Suttenfield – voice
Tosh Sheridan – guitar
Matthew Fries – piano
Phil Palombi – bass
Eric Halvorson – drums
Tom Valdez – cello -
Mon20May2019
MF Trio with Greg Ryan & Joe Strasser
6-10pmHillstone
E54th & 3rd Ave
NYCI’ve been playing on the Steinway B tucked in the corner of the lively bar in this steak-n-ribs joint with some fantastic musicians 2-3 times a week since 2002! No cover charge and the food is delicious. Come for the music. Stay for the spinach and artichoke dip! -
Thu23May2019
with Anton Schwartz Quintet
7:30pmRegatta Bar
Boston, MAAnton Schwartz (sax)
Billy Buss (trumpet)
Matthew Fries (piano)
Greg Ryan (bass)
Julian Miltenberger (drums) -
Tue28May2019
with Keith Hall & Andrew Rathbun
7:30-9:30O'Duffy's Pub
Kalamazoo, MIA casual night of music at my local watering hole.Andrew Rathbun – saxophone
Keith Hall – drum stuff
Matthew Fries – electric piano -
Thu30May2019
with Keith Hall & Andrew Rathbun
7pmLiquid Note Brewing
119 E Allegan St,
Otsego, MI
A night of jazz and free improvisation. I’ll be playing my Vintage Vibes through some fun effects pedals so you’ll need to be here to find out what happens… This is a special venue dedicated to live music, great beer and delicious food. A special night.Matthew Fries – electric piano + fx
Andrew Rathbun – saxophone + fx
Keith Hall – drums + toys -
Tue11Jun2019
with Keith Hall & Andrew Rathbun
7:30-9:30O'Duffy's Pub
Kalamazoo, MIA casual night of music at my local watering hole.Andrew Rathbun – saxophone
Keith Hall – drum stuff
Matthew Fries – electric piano -
Tue18Jun2019Sun23Jun2019
with Curtis Stigers
Ronnie Scotts
London, UKCurtis Stigers – vocals/sax
Matthew Fries – piano
John “Scrapper” Sneider – trumpet
Cliff Schmitt – bass
Paul Wells – drums -
Mon24Jun2019Tue25Jun2019
MF Trio with Cliff Schmitt & Paul Wells
7pmRonnie Scotts
47 Frith Street
London, UK
Opening for Archie SheppMatthew Fries – piano
Cliff Schmitt – bass
Paul Wells – drums -
Wed26Jun2019
with Curtis Stigers
St. Edmund's Festival
Canterbury, EnglandCurtis Stigers – vocals/sax
Matthew Fries – piano
Cliff Schmitt – bass
Paul Wells – drumsFreddie Gavita – trumpet
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Fri28Jun2019
with Curtis Stigers & Til Brönner
Rheingau Musik Festival
Schloss Johannisberg
Geisenheim, GermanyCurtis Stigers – vocals/sax
Matthew Fries – piano
Cliff Schmitt – bass
Paul Wells – drumsTil Brönner – trumpet/vocals
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Tue16Jul2019
with Keith Hall & Andrew Rathbun
7:30-9:30O'Duffy's Pub
Kalamazoo, MIA casual night of music at my local watering hole.Andrew Rathbun – saxophone
Keith Hall – drum stuff
Matthew Fries – electric piano -
Thu18Jul2019
MF Trio
7pmThe Union Cabaret & Grille
Kalamazoo, MIMatthew Fries – piano
Paul Keller – bass
Keith Hall – drums -
Tue27Aug2019
with Keith Hall & Andrew Rathbun
7:30-9:30O'Duffy's Pub
Kalamazoo, MIA casual night of music at my local watering hole.Andrew Rathbun – saxophone
Keith Hall – drum stuff
Matthew Fries – electric piano -
Thu12Sep2019
Western Jazz Collective
7-10pmThe Union Cabaret & Grille
Kalamazoo, MI
The jazz faculty ensemble at Western Michigan University.Scott Cowan (trumpet), Andrew Rathbun (sax), Greg Jasperse (voice), Matthew Fries (piano), Matt Landon (guitar), John Hébert (bass) & Keith Hall (drums)
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Fri13Sep2019Sat14Sep2019
with Curtis Stigers
Blue Note Napa
Napa, CACurtis Stigers – vocals/sax
Matthew Fries – piano
Cliff Schmitt – bass
Paul Wells – drums -
Tue17Sep2019
with Ted Hogarth and John Hébert
7:30-9:30O'Duffy's Pub
Kalamazoo, MIA casual night of music at my local watering hole.Ted Horgarth – saxophone
Matthew Fries – electric piano
John Hébert – bass -
Fri20Sep2019Sun22Sep2019
with Curtis Stigers
Germany Tour
9/20 Viersen - Jazz Festival Viersen
9/21 Herdecke - Werner-Richard-Saal
9/22 Braunschweig - Kultur Im ZeltCurtis Stigers – vocals/sax
Matthew Fries – piano
Cliff Schmitt – bass
Paul Wells – drums -
Thu26Sep2019
Diego Rivera Quartet
7-10pmThe Union Cabaret & Grille
Kalamazoo, MI
The Diego Rivera Quartet celebrates the release of his newest recording, “Connections.”Diego Rivera – sax
Matthew Fries – piano
Liany Mateo – bass
Keith Hall – drums -
Sat28Sep2019
Guest Artist for Ball State Rhythm Section Day
Ball State University
Muncie, IN -
Thu03Oct2019
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Fri04Oct2019
Western Jazz Collective
Kerrytown Music Hall
Ann Arbor, MI The jazz faculty ensemble at Western Michigan University.Scott Cowan (trumpet), Andrew Rathbun (sax), Greg Jasperse (voice), Matthew Fries (piano), Matt Landon (guitar), John Hébert (bass) & Keith Hall (drums)
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Thu10Oct2019
Guest Artist with WMU Gold Company
8pmDalton Center
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MIA concert with WMU’s award-winning vocal jazz ensemble. -
Wed16Oct2019
TRIO with Steve LaSpina & Keith Hall
8 & 9:30pmMezzrow
163 W 10th St
New York, NY
646-476-4346
Join us at this intimate basement listening room in the West Village.Matthew Fries – piano
Steve LaSpina – bass
Keith Hall – drums -
Thu17Oct2019
Steve LaSpina Group
7:30pmSmalls Jazz Club
183 W 10th St
NYC
Steve LaSpina – bass
Rich Perry – sax
Matthew Fries – piano
Jon Di Fiore – drums -
Tue22Oct2019
with Ben Schmidt-Swartz & Kazuki Takemura
7:30-9:30O'Duffy's Pub
Kalamazoo, MIA casual night of jazz music at my local watering hole.Ben Schmidt-Swartz – saxophone
Matthew Fries – electric piano
Kazuki Takemura – bass -
Thu24Oct2019
with John Patitucci and WMU Jazz Faculty
7:30Dalton Center
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MIVery special guest artist John Patitucci will be on campus to perform with the students and faculty in concert.
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Sun03Nov2019
with Curtis Stigers
Jazztage Dresden
Dresden, GermanyCurtis Stigers – vocals/sax
Matthew Fries – piano
Cliff Schmitt – bass
Paul Wells – drums -
Sat23Nov2019
with Stacey Kent
2pm
It has been years since I last played with Stacey. Looking forward to this concert in the desert. -
Tue26Nov2019
with Ted Hogarth and Andy Peck
7:30-9:30O'Duffy's Pub
Kalamazoo, MIA casual night of music at my local watering hole.Ted Horgarth – saxophone
Matthew Fries – electric piano
John Hébert – bass -
Wed27Nov2019
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Tue17Dec2019
with Keith Hall & Andrew Rathbun
7:30-9:30O'Duffy's Pub
Kalamazoo, MIA casual night of music at my local watering hole.Andrew Rathbun – saxophone
Keith Hall – drum stuff
Matthew Fries – electric piano -
Tue31Dec2019
Kalamazoo New Years Fest
8pm to midnightRadisson Hotel Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo, MIAndrew Rathbun – sax
Matthew Fries – electric piano
Andy Peck – bass
Keith Hall – drums
