Event: Matt Shulman Trio Monday, August 7th @ 7:30pm & 9:30pm “Voices and Song” Series at The Jazz Standard 116 East 27th Street Bwtn Park and Lexington Ave. 212-576-2232 www.jazzstandard.net  (N, R, 6 Trains to 28th Street) $15.00 Music Charge, No Minimum

Matt Shulman combines “intimate vocals with virtuosic trumpet playing and sensual electronics to create his signature sound.” The New York Times called him “A new voice from jazz’s emerging generation.” Fans say he is a combination of "Miles Davis meets Radiohead, and a Chet Baker for the new millennium." Downbeat Magazine proclaims him as “Zen-like.”

Born into a musical family in Vermont, he started classical violin, piano, and baritone horn before he turned 10, then discovered the trumpet at age 12 and started on his chosen career path. Shulman moved to New York in 1997, and became one of the storied city's first call instrumental soloists. He made his Carnegie Hall main stage debut as featured guest soloist with the New York Pops Orchestra in 2002, and was named Jazz Artist of the Year by the 2003 Independent Music Awards.

In addition to his rich trumpet tone and honest vocal delivery, one thing many audiences notice about Matt is his simultaneous use of vocals and electronics with his trumpet. Matt’s spirit of experimentation and innovation can also be found in his development of the ShulmanSystem for Trumpet, a device he patented for eliminating detrimental embouchure pressure and body tension.

Matt Shulman and his self-named trio will be performing in the “Voices and Song” Series at The Jazz Standard on August 7 at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. In addition to Shulman (trumpet, vocals, multiphonics, loops), the trio consists of Matt Clohesy (acoustic and electric bass) and Jason Wildman (drums, percussion). They will be performing music from the new CD “So It Goes,” scheduled for national release this fall on Jaggo Records.

NewYorkCool.com had the chance to catch up with Shulman recently and find out what drives the accomplished and multi-talented musician.

New York Cool: How did the Matt Shulman Trio come about?

Shulman: I discovered that I like playing trio, because it gives me a lot of sonic freedom to create new sounds, harmonies, and textures. I do a lot of multiphonics and looping in the trio in addition to playing traditional trumpet lines, so in this way I have the opportunity to function like a pianist or guitarist does in a trio. The trio also allows for a lot of interaction, which can be very rewarding to be a part of, and listen to as well. I think trios can create a special focus, a kind of singular experience for a listener that larger ensembles often miss.

NYCool: What is your working dynamic with Matt and Jason?

Shulman: Jason and I have been playing duo (just drums and trumpet) for about nine years now. Jason can play anything on the drums -- he's one of NYC's best kept secrets, though the word is slowly getting out. After a while I realized that we had developed a chemistry as a duo which was very special, and if I could find the right bass player to add some foundation and counterpoint, I would have a really great trio. Enter Matt Clohesy -- he arrived from Australia a few years ago and almost immediately began working with some of the top players here. He too, can play anything, and perhaps more important, his hook-up with Jason and concept of accompaniment is perfect for the trio. He started playing acoustic bass with me but now plays electric as well, which gives us a more lush sound for certain songs.

NYCool: Are you looking forward to playing at the Jazz Standard?

Shulman: Very much. We need to be heard, and the Jazz Standard is one of the city's better venues, a place where music fans -- and industry people -- want to go just because they know it's a great club with great acoustics and a great vibe. They also know they can trust the booking there. Whether it's big name talent or breaking talent, it will be something special. the standard only books first-rate stuff. We're in good company there.

NYCool: Quoting a description by your fans, is “Miles Davis meets Radiohead” an accurate assessment of your music?

Shulman: Yes. The “Miles Davis” part is fairly obvious...the “meets Radiohead” part is indicative of a sound the trio creates by mixing classic jazz influences with modern textures and compositional/improvisational techniques. And vocally, at this point, I’m probably more influenced by Thom Yorke and singers from other alternative rock groups than by jazz vocalists. Radiohead also has a deep European classical music influence, which I can relate to as well.

NYCool: What was your life and your music like before you moved to New York?

Shulman: I moved to New York pretty much right after getting my BM from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. Before that I grew up in Vermont with a violinist father and pianist mother, which was of course very influential for me. While in Ohio, I worked professionally with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and freelanced around, getting some good experience. There are some great players out there, like Kenny Davis, Jack Schantz, Dan Wall, Ernie Krivda, Greg Bandy, Dave Morgan... Not as many as in NY, but the ones who can play, can really play. I learned a lot from them before moving here.

NYCool: How has living in New York changed you as an artist, and as a person?

Shulman: Oh, wow... Well this is the place to be to develop as an artist. so much stimuli and creativity. It's kind of addictive, the energy here. It has made me dig deep, in a sink-or-swim kind of way. Lately I've been writing a lot of new material, playing with some great musicians, and I signed a record deal... so I feel like I'm swimming now.

NYCool: What advice do you have for other musicians and artists trying to “swim” in NYC?

Shulman: Think big. Don't get stuck in the subtle but crippling poverty-mentality of the local scene. New York City is a place where amazing things can happen. I've noticed that sometimes people here get used to “just gigging” to get by, and forget about the endless possibilities this city offers. Other than that, be honest with yourself about what you like, stay open, and be prepared.

NYCool: What led you to creating ShulmanSystem for Trumpet?

Shulman: Like any instrument, the trumpet poses specific challenges. While addressing these issues, I was doing some playing with the great pianist Kenny Werner who wrote the book “Effortless Mastery.” I think that experience, general curiosity, and some exposure to the body-alignment-based “Alexander Technique” mixed to give me the idea. Some of today's great trumpet players have adopted it for their playing and teaching, which feels good. Simply put, the system enables you to make more music.

NYCool: What are the similarities and differences of using your voice as opposed to playing trumpet?

Shulman: Breath control, body resonance, vibration, it's all very close. They're both very visceral, emotionally direct instruments. The voice is a little more naked, you have to be ready to bare your soul to sing... You have to be ready to bare your soul to play the trumpet as well, but the fact that the actual sound comes out of it, and not you directly, can offer a little something more to hide behind if you want to. The only way to hide behind the voice is to be dishonest -- to try and sound just like someone else. Some trumpet players make careers out of having good technique, but the ones that move you are the ones that can make you forget about the instrument. I think that singing and playing the trumpet simultaneously has helped me to develop a more musical approach.

NYCool: What was it like making your Carnegie Hall main stage debut as featured guest soloist with the New York Pops Orchestra?

Shulman: Case-in-point... Skitch Henderson heard me play at an audition for a fellowship at NYU. Here's a guy who has worked with everyone -- Sinatra, Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald, you name it. He heard something in my sound that he said he ‘respected very much’ and just like that asked a relatively unknown artist to solo with the orchestra at Carnegie Hall. We played Stardust and Tzena Tzena. It was a tremendous feeling for me, the musical communication, working with Skitch, in that hall. And that wasn't long after 9/11, so the theme of the concert was 'Let Freedom Ring'. The hall was sold out, and I felt I really opened up and enjoyed the music right along with the audience as I was playing.

NYCool: What other countries were you most excited about traveling to?

It isn't always possible to really explore the countries you tour in... You have a busy schedule and are always working. But depending on the itinerary, there are days off here and there. I liked Switzerland -- very beautiful with a hip modernism in some areas. Italy was also great -- I was able to see the Sistine Chapel and have some amazing food there.

NYCool: What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Shulman: It's an honor to play with Brad Mehldau, Fred Hersch, and Kenny Werner. Also, I would say being named a Vilar Global Fellow at NYU was great because it was an international search for emerging artists, period -- not just jazz musicians, or even musicians at all -- everyone from dancers to playwrights, filmmakers and technologists were considered. The selection panel included masters from all disciplines -- I like that. I like art that transcends its genre and makes it to the fundamental human aspect.

For more information on The Matt Shulman Trio, visit www.mattshulman.com or www.myspace.com/mattshulman.