Matt Strand

Matt was born in 1978 in Carmichael (Sacramento), CA. A 1996 graduate of Bella Vista High School, Matt played in all school bands. Originally a sax player, Matt needed to branch out and in HS learned bass and piano. After HS, Matt attended Sierra Collegeand was active in the Jazz ensemble as well as many side projects. Matt moved to Grand Forks, ND in January of 1999 to pursue a career in aviation. While attending UND, Matt was active in the UND Jazz Ensemble on both sax and piano and played bass in the hockey band. Matt also plays in and conducts musicals for the Crimson Creek Collegiate Players. He currently resides in Grand Forks with his wife, Jessica.

Member of

• Still Fighting It (piano/keys, backing vox)
• Project 24 (piano)
• Drambuee (piano/keys)
• Fatlip/Groove Union (organ/keys, backing vox)
• Northland Jazz Project (piano/keys)
• UND Jazz Ensemble (sax, piano)
• Sketches in Blue (piano)
• Dick King Classic Swing Orchestra (sax, piano)

Contact Info

For booking/info contact Matt at 746-7471(w) or mstrand@aero.und.edu

Musical Influences

• Ben Folds, Billy Joel, Tom Schuman, Russ Ferrante, Bob Mintzer, Scott Ambush, Randy Hope-Taylor, Steely Dan

Teachers

Edward Moore, George Tricomi, Greg McLauglin, Michael Blake

Other Musical Highlights

• Once did a spoof gig for members of NSync and Smashmouth
• Played 2nd keyboard for Martin Short's performance at the Chester Fritz in Fall 2004
• Former member of award-winning Sacramento Jazz/Rock Band "The Hallway"
• Former member of Sacramento Billy Joel Tribute Band "Angry Young Men"

Theater Highlights

• Played saxes for Bella Vista High School's production of "Pippin" - Spring 1994
• Played saxes for BVHS' production of "Cabaret" - Spring 1995
• Played saxes for BVHS' production of "Will Rogers Follies" - Spring 1996
• Played bass for a private production of "West Side Story" - Summer 1996
• Played bass for a private production of "Hair" - Summer 1997
• Played bass for Sierra College's production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" - Spring 1998
• Played bass for Music & More's production of "Oklahoma" - Summer 1998
• Played bass for SPA's production of "The Boyfriend" - Summer 2000
• Conducted/Played keyboards for Crimson Creek's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" - Summer 2002
• Conducted/Played piano for Crimson Creeks's production of "My Way" - Summer 2003
• Conducted/Played piano for Crimson Creek's production of "Chicago" - Summer 2004
• Conducted/Played keyboards for UND theater's production of "Little Shop of Horrors" - Fall 2004
• Conducted Crimson Creek's production of "And the World Goes Round" - Summer 2005
• Music Directed/Conducted Crimson Creek's production of "Oklahoma" - Summer 2005