Biography Matt Ulery

Chicago based bassist/composer and bandleader, Matt Ulery, has developed an

instantly recognizable sound. Known for his sweeping lyricism, unconventional phrase

structures, expressionistic emotionalism, Ulery’s music is informed by the entire

spectrum of jazz, classical, rock, pop, and folk– specifically American, South American,

Balkan, and other European folk styles. He performs not only on upright and electric

bass, but doubles on tuba.

For a decade, Ulery has been the leader of his own groups and frequent collaborator.

Ulery has produced and released 6 albums of all original music under his name

including his three most recent releases of critical acclaim, “By a Little Light,” “Wake an

Echo,” and “In the Ivory,” on Dave Douglas’s Greenleaf Music record label in 2012-2014.

Ulery earned a Master of Music degree at Depaul University and Bachelors degree in

music composition at The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University

and has played in bands with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Phil Markowitz, Jimmy Chamberlin,

Fareed Haque, Howard Levy, Patricia Barber, Goran Ivanovic, Jeff Parker, Zach Brock,

and many others. As a composer, Ulery has collaborated with ensembles such as eighth

blackbird and the New Millennium Orchestra of Chicago.

When not touring parts of the U.S. and Europe, Matt appears regularly in the Chicago

area music venues and has performed with his groups at prestigious venues such as

Carnegie Hall, Chicago Orchestra Hall, Millennium Park Pritzker Pavillion, Chicago

Cultural Center, The Krannert Center, Blues Alley, Jazz Showcase, The Metro and

countless other fine music listening rooms.

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