fbpx

Matt Hartz

Matt Hartz

  • Fiddle

Legendary Texas fiddle master Matthew Hartz is an Idaho native currently living in Boise, Idaho. He is a three-time Grand Masters Fiddle Champion (Nashville, TN) a two-time Grand National Fiddle Champion (Weiser, Idaho), and a two-time World Fiddle Champion (Crockett, Texas). Matthew’s early influences originated from his parents’ diverse record collection which included anything from Dixieland Jazz to bluegrass and much more. Yet his artistic perspective was profoundly shaped by Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys who remain his most significant influence.

Matthew’s father, a major influence in Matthew’s musical career, started him on banjo and guitar at the age of 3 years old. He started playing classical violin at 8 years old and was introduced to folk genres on the violin a couple of years later. His ear was bent toward Texas old-time fiddle masters Major Franklin, Orville Burns, Texas Shorty, and Terry Morris, as well as jazz/swing musicians Bob Wills & Stuff Smith. Matthew developed quickly and won all the major fiddle titles by the age of 19.

Besides fiddle championships, career highlight include producing the soundtrack for the 2003 award-winning PBS documentary, “Idaho Rhapsody” and multiple appearances on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Matthew currently travels and performs with several touring groups and local bands. He is the leading host for the In My Beach Boys Room Podcast and instructs and performs at many music camps and workshops across the country. Matthew is a multi-instrumentalist renowned in many circles for his deep groove and rhythmic integrity in any style he touches. Seven-time World Fiddle Champion Jim “Texas Shorty” Chancellor eloquently summed up the style of Matthew’s music, “An ability to express music through what most of us can only feel.”

Site by ICS