November Piano Newsletter
My November newsletter includes highlights of upcoming gigs in State College, PA, NYC, Dublin & London. Read the Newsletter
All the music-related news I can find to share with you.
“Parallel States” Recommended Listening in Just Jazz e-Newsletter
Bob Bernotas included Parallel States in his list of recommended listening in his October 2016 Just Jazz e-Newsletter. “Pianist Matthew Fries has collaborated with his sister, visual artist Loryn Spangler-Jones, to create this program of “parallel art and music.” Alone, Fries’ compositions are absorbing and stimulating, and Spangler-Jones paintings are vivid and striking. Together, they’ve produced […]
“Parallel States” Reviewed by JazzdaGama
Raul da Gama at JazzdaGama gave Parallel States a very nice review! Some very kind words. “His Parallel States, a collection of nine pieces inspired by the paintings of Loryn Spangler-Jones is altogether beautiful… Matthew Fries’ touch is light and inspirational. He captures the lines of the paintings in graceful arcs, often suggesting melodies that […]
“Parallel States” Reviewed by Culture Jazz
Yves Dorison at Culture Jazz in France gave Parallel States a nice review. “Une affaire de famille en quelque sorte et un peu plus que cela. Nous nous sommes laissés prendre par ces figures musicales souvent méditatives…”
Parallel States is Now Available
Parallel States My new solo piano album is here. It’s a collection of 9 original compositions that I created in a collaborative project with my sister, visual artist, Loryn Spangler-Jones. Visit my music page for audio samples, images of the paintings Loryn created, a description of the process behind the recording, and links to where […]
A Few MF Trio Dates in Europe this Summer
I’ve got a couple international gigs with my trio coming up this summer in London and Copenhagen! Please tell your friends.
“Parallel States” Reviewed by the New York City Jazz Record
Donald Elfman at the New York City Jazz Record gave my Parallel States project a very nice review in the June 2016 Issue. “From the first notes of this extraordinary recording, it is clear that the relationship between music and art is what inspired the project. Each of the works by pianist Matthew Fries and […]
“Parallel States” Reviewed by UK Vibe
Mike Gates at UK Vibe gave Parallel States a nice review. “There is some wonderful, lyrical, expressive playing to be enjoyed on ‘Parallel States’… This is music to lose yourself in, with Fries proving just what a consummate performer he is. His tunes are full of joy and wonderment, whilst still retaining a thoughtful, skillful […]
“Parallel States” reviewed by Longplay blog in Poland
Robert Ratajczak posted a nice review of Parallel States on the Polish blog, Longplay. “Wszelkie nawiązania, bądź dostrzegalne w kompozycjach echa, stanowią zaledwie jeden z wielu składników decydujących o ostatecznym kolorycie utworów wypełniających “Parallel States”, płytę wypełnioną muzyką nasyconą ogromem przestrzeni i silnie prowokująca wyobraźnię.”
“Parallel States” Reviewed by Midwest Record
Chris Spector over at the Midwest Record gives Parallel States a short, but enthusiastic review. “…this is one of those sets that raises the bar and sets the gold standard for its genre…”
“Parallel States” Reviewed by MusicZoom in Italy
Vittorio Lo Conte posted a nice review of Parallel States on the Italian MusicZoom website. “Si nota subito la sua enorme preparazione e la capacità di variare, da un brano all’altro, mostrando una cultura enciclopedica su quella che è la storia del piano jazz…”
“Parallel States” Scheduled for June 3rd Release
The release date has been set for my new solo piano project. Parallel States will be available on CD and digital download on June 3, 2016. Look for limited edition vinyl and limited edition prints (cover art painting) coming later this summer. You can preview the music and the artwork right here on my site. […]