5th April 2016: “Our guitarist of the year if not the decade.” Latest reviews from across Europe for Matthew Stevens and ‘Woodwork’ + live video of Matthew’s interview with The Pace Report.

NYC-based Guitarist and composer Matthew Stevens is heralded as one of the most promising young artists in contemporary jazz music through his associations with NEXT Collective, Christian Scott, Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington, Walter Smith III, and Harvey Mason. Now Stevens comes fully into his own with his debut recording as a leader, Woodwork. The album showcases Stevens’ diverse influences, his warm, robust sound, and his fluid, emotive playing at the helm of a stellar quintet which features multiple Grammy-nominated pianist Gerald Clayton, bassist Vicente Archer, drummer Eric Doob and percussionist Paulo Stagnaro.

During a live show at NYC’s The Jazz Standard, Matthew talked to Brian Pace for The Pace Report (above) about this debut recording, his band, and his vision for the music.

Here are some further highlights of recent press reviews from across Europe for Woodwork:

This week, ‘Sunday’ from Woodwork featured on Jazz FM’s ‘The Blueprint’ (playlist)

“Our guitarist of the year, if not the decade. ”
Jazz Podium

“Technical expertise, sophisticated compositions and harmonically diverse melodies.”
Jazz’n’ More

“Contemporary, soulful jazz away from the usual, intellectual and well-trodden paths of the mainstream.”
Soul Train

“Stevens delivers a controlled, multi-faceted approach which offers up hitherto unsuspected timbres and nuances in his playing.”
Concerto Magazine

“Fluent, emotive guitar playing leading a brilliant quartet.”
Jazz Zeitung

“[Woodwork] cohesively explores multiple genres… An interesting and varied album.”
Hörspiegel

“[Stevens] has an open, loose yet funky playing style and a tight ensemble sound.”
Jazz City

“With sometimes complex, sometimes elaborate yet thoughtful melodies, Stevens draws characterful contributions from colleagues Gerald Clayton and Vicente Archer”
Jazz Thing

“An example of how high quality and interesting jazz fusion can be today.”
Musik an Sich

“No need to fear contemporary jazz music when it’s blessed with passionate young musicians such as Stevens.”
Musik Reviews

“Particularly stylish when Stevens reaches for his acoustic guitar.”
Sound and Image