My first introduction to Matthew was about ten years ago when Liz and I moved into a new neighborhood. Matthew lived across the street and had basement rock sessions at night. They promised the couple next door, Frank and Jane, that they would ‘keep it down’ after 10:00.
And then over the years I began to see Matthew Willner’s name showing up doing gigs at Miller’s and other places, doing rock, I assumed. But then just recently comes a new cd into the WTJU studio where I substitute as a volunteer Jazz Announcer. And the cd, Matthew’s debut, is received by the Jazz Department! “What?!” I said. Must be a mistake.
This self-titled cd is sub-titled on the CD Baby site as World Beat-Jazz Fusion. And it is. Jazz being the diverse and fluid art that it is, tends to socialize very readily, often reaching out to and sometimes absorbing some other style. But here’s rock extending out to jazz and mixing. Somethin’ else!
Matthew Willner is going to be at the Pavilion Friday – opening for John Carden and Greenwich Swing Time. Now that’s Jazz – a Rock-Jazz Fusion guy opening for a mainstream jazz group led by a guy who usually sings Stage and light opera stuff!
Wouldn’t miss it for the world! But I’m going to be ready for whiplash! 
- David Lee
