Matt Ulery

American jazz bassist and composer.
Matt Ulery, based in Chicago, IL, has developed an instantly recognisable sound. Known for his sweeping lyricism, unconventional phrase structures, expressionistic emotionalism, Ulery’s music, from small, diverse chamber ensembles to full orchestras, is informed by the entire spectrum of jazz, classical, rock, pop, and folk – specifically USAmerican, South American, Balkan, and other European folk styles. He has been performing for twenty five years on upright, electric, and brass basses. For over two decades, Ulery has been the leader of his own groups and frequent collaborator. He has produced and released eleven albums of all original music under his name. Ulery holds music degrees from DePaul and Roosevelt University and is in high demand as a bassist in Chicago. As a composer, he has collaborated with diverse ensembles such as Eighth Blackbird, Miami String Quartet, New Millennium Orchestra of Chicago, Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music Festival of Lexington, Axiom Brass, Wild Belle, Guimaraes (Portugal) Jazz Festival, Arcomusical, and the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition. When not touring parts of the U.S. and Europe, Matt is extremely active in the Chicago area music scenes and has performed with his own groups at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, NYC Winter Jazz Festival, Chicago Orchestra Hall, Millennium Park Pritzker Pavilion, Jazz Showcase, Chicago Jazz Festival, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, and countless other fine music listening rooms. Ulery is on faculty at Loyola University Chicago and gives masterclasses and clinics nationwide and beyond.