Matt Wilson’s Good Trouble
Few musicians embody the spontaneous energy of jazz quite like Matt Wilson. The New York-based drummer combines buoyant zeal, an idiosyncratic style, infectious humor, joyous swing, and an indomitable spirit of surprise, making him one of the most in-demand players and educators in jazz today.
Wilson has performed and or with an impressive array of jazz legends, including Wynton Marsalis, Lee Konitz, Buster Williams, Joe Lovano, Jane Ira Bloom, Pat Metheny, Carla Bley, Christian McBride, Andrew Hill, Kenny Barron, John Clayton, Anat Cohen, Dewey Redman, Charlie Haden, Paul Bley, Denny Zeitlin, John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Joanne Brackeen, and Herbie Hancock. He has appeared on more than 550 albums as a sideman and has released 20 acclaimed recordings as a leader.
In 2018, Wilson was named Musician of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association, and his album Honey and Salt (Music Inspired by the Poetry of Carl Sandburg) was named Album of the Year. As the leader of multiple ensembles—including the Matt Wilson Quartet, Arts & Crafts, Honey and Salt, Big Happy Family, Topsy Turvy, and Christmas Tree-O—Wilson explores a vast range of musical terrain. From adventurous avant-garde improvisation to deeply moving
interpretations of American poetry, his work reflects an ever-expanding creative universe. Honey and Salt earned Record of the Year honors from the Jazz Journalists Association, along with year-end accolades from NPR, DownBeat, and JazzTimes, cementing Wilson’s reputation as one of the most imaginative voices in contemporary jazz.
Wilson’s 2024 album, Good Trouble, was hailed as one of the year’s top jazz recordings by NPR, DownBeat, and The New York Jazz Record. The album continues his exploration of contemporary themes, blending optimism and urgency in equal measure. His newest recording, Love Is the Whole Thing, We Are Only Pieces, was released in September 2026 and has already received wide critical acclaim.
A renowned educator, Wilson is on a tireless mission to foster a lively and meaningful connection between music and people, whether they are playing or listening. He currently serves on the faculties of The New School, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and SUNY Purchase.
