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BLISS
Anna Rose
He has performed on stages around the world, and now guitar supremo MATT ZARB calls Tamworth home.
Late last month this gifted musician married the love of his life, Lesley Ammann, and they can’t wait to write the next chapter of their love story as Mr and Mrs Zarb, from Country Music Capital.
Matty and Lesley have lots to look forward to – not the least of which is Matty’s exciting new album, Rose Matilda, which is gaining airplay right around the country.
Rose Matilda is a compilation of three different projects and gives the listener a great insight into the vibrancy of Matty’s live shows – as well as a little of who the man is behind the magic Maton.
Jack and Rose Matilda O’Keefe were Matty’s grandparents and the title track tells the story of their love. His 92-year-old grandfather Jack’s voice can be heard on track one, while Vincent Road tells the story of where Matty was born. There’s also the funky What Do You Think About That and the beautiful ballad, Saturday Night In The Hall.
Each of these tracks is being heard across the country, but he feels his newest recorded effort, which is about to be released to radio this month, will be the ultimate music to listeners’ ears.
It’s Matty’s own version of the 1974 ROSS RYAN classic, I Am Pegasus. He was thrilled to have recorded the track at STEVE NEWTON’s Enrec Studio in Tamworth, utilising the talents of some amazing musicians including ANTHONY WALMSLEY, RANDALL WILSON, JEFF DALLAS, JODIE CROSBY and DOREEN CUMMINGS.
“Those guys all went out of their way to put everything into this song,” Matty said. “I couldn’t be happier with the results and I can’t wait to hear the reaction from radio.”
When Matty, Lesley and their two boys, Cale and Flynn, arrived in Tamworth in November 2008, it was apparent that a vibrant musical force had arrived on the scene.
In a very short time Matty has established himself as one of the most sought after solo acts in the North-West and New England, for festivals, special events and corporate functions.
And why wouldn’t he be? With credentials that few others possess, he’s a true force to be reckoned with on any stage.
Although he doesn’t consider himself a master guitarist, his unique style of playing and songwriting has landed him on stages with everyone from TOMMY EMMANUEL to WILLIE NELSON – and then some.
Matty spent three and half years living and working in Kentucky, in the United States, and while there he performed at numerous festivals and events across America, from Nashville to LA, playing the college circuit, countless radio and TV shows, in the fine company of his younger brother PAULY.
It was while Matty and Pauly were playing at a smoky little bar in Kentucky that they came to the attention of Eddie Mattingley, Trinity Music Productions owner and sponsor of the Acoustic Guitar Masters Concert Series.
Eddie invited Matty to perform on the Acoustic Masters Guitar Concert Series alongside fellow Aussie, Tommy Emmanuel, PAT KIRTLEY, STEPHEN BENNETT, BEPPE GAMBETTA, TONY MCMANUS and MICHAEL KELSEY.
“They’re the guys you read about in Guitar Player magazine,” Matty said. “Being asked to play on that stage is the biggest honour you can get as a guitar player.”
While Kentucky was musically fulfilling for Matty, Australia was calling this native son back home so he returned and eventually landed in Tamworth, the base from where he now tours and performs across the country.
Matty lives to play – and plays to live – and his much loved 15-year-old Maton is never far from his side. A Matt Zarb performance is full of exciting kicking, stomping, guitar, harmonica, mandolin playing and songs of his life and times.
His honesty in songwriting leaves you feeling you can relate to the real life issues that come up in his lyrics and storytelling. If he sings or plays a song or instrumental he has not written, you can guarantee it will have the Matty Zarb stamp on it, whether it’s The Devil Went Down To Krambach/Georgia or the famous MASON WILLIAMS hit, Classical Gas.
Live you get Matt’s “barefoot bushbilly bastard versions” – he never performs with shoes and stomps on his 11-year-old home-made stomp box and plays all his music live without a safety net.
Whether it’s in his kitchen, where he can also cook up a storm, or on the Manly ferry, you’ll find Matty Zarb singing and playing guitar with passion. Enjoy his next live performance – there’s no other option.
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