Matt Turk

Web music authority All Music Guide calls him "…an artist to be reckoned with." A seasoned recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, eternal idealist and compassionate peace loving realist, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York based Matt Turk is a veteran performer who has engaged audiences around the world, both as a rocking bandleader and an acoustic folk troubadour. He has shared the stage with Pete Seeger and opened for Judy Collins, The Doobie Brothers, Fiona Apple, The Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart and more. He has performed throughout the U.S.A., Europe, Israel and the Caribbean, appearing at festivals and venues including Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival, the Gathering of the Vibes, Atlanta's Music Midtown, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Beacon Theatre and Brooklyn Bowl. ??Matt's new recording, Cold Revival, is produced by David Dobkin, also a filmmaker, best known for directing "Wedding Crashers." Cold Revival was recorded in Los Angeles at Matter Music and is an arrestingly emotional collection of songs dealing with human relationships, loss, and the redeeming power of love. The album was released October 7, 2014. The tracks provide a modern folk-influenced soundscape showcasing Matt’s powerful troubadour. Guitar Player says: “ On his latest release, Cold Revival, Matt Turk expertly weaves track after track of acoustic guitar and mandolin into a folk-rock fabric where they can stand on their own or sit comfortably side by side with electric guitars, lap-steel, keys, and vocals.” Rust Magazine voted Cold Revival 2014 album of the year saying: “With Cold Revival, Matt Turk has distinguished himself as one of the premier talents of our time, and this is one of the best albums ever made. It is that special.”??Musicians on the new album prove impressive with Russ Irwin (Sting, Aerosmith), Chris Joyner (Jason Mraz, Ray La Montagne), Dean Butterworth (Good Charlotte, Ben Harper), Dan Pinnella and Ric Markmann (Chris Cornell, Heart). Matt sings, plays acoustic guitar, mandolin and lap steel guitar. On February 4 at 7pm at Rockwood Music Hall, joining Matt who will be on guitar, mandolin and lead vocals will be Rik Mercaldi (guitar), Mike Visceglia (bass), Gary Schreiner (keyboards) and Doug Yowell (drums).

In 2011, Matt scored the full-length documentary "The Lion of Judah," winner of several independent film festival awards. Matt's 2010 release American Preservation placed #20 on the folk charts FolkRadio.org and is a collection of well-loved classics, ranging from Taj Mahal to T. Rex. In February of 2008, Turk released the music video "The Fog of War" which featured the musician with special guest Pete Seeger. Acoustic Live's Richard Cuccaro called it "a remarkable video." Matt's cover of the Christmas classic "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" appeared on the soundtrack to the 2007 Warner Bros. film "Fred Claus."

His version of “America the Beautiful" has been called "arguably the definitive acoustic version" by Music News Nashville. Turk's solo discography includes Turktunes (2000), What Gives (2002) and Washington Arms (2006), Mandolin Caravan's Desert Soul (2003) and Gillen & Turk Backs to the Wall (2008), a collaboration with Fred Gillen Jr.

In 1987, while a student at New York University, Matt teamed up with Marshall Madow and co-founded The Hour, shared the stage with Blues Traveler, opened for Richie Havens, Hot Tuna, Dave Matthews Band and released three albums: Hold Back the Reins (1989), and with drummer Carey Harmon (now in Railroad Earth), Fricker-Nicker Sessions (1991) and Songs of Sweden (1992). Around this time Turk became acquainted with producer Phil Ramone, during studio work singing with Phoebe Snow on Russ Irwin's debut. "Phil took an interest in my music and gave me a great tutoring on the craft of songwriting,” remembers Matt.

http://turktunes.com