Local jazz guitarist Tony Mata doesn’t mince words. “This ain’t karaoke night,” he said with a broad grin. “I play jazz because I love jazz. It’s a labor of love.”
Tony is known for his thoughtful interpretations of the jazz standards that span from the giants of Bebop to the classics from the Great American Songbook (widely accepted as the canon of the most important and influential American popular songs and jazz standards from the early 20th century). For 15 years now, he has been based in Williamsburg, but he splits his performances between Virginia and New York City.
“Writing and performing jazz is a deep thing that I carry with me,” Tony said. “I try to create an atmosphere that is a listening atmosphere where people come to connect and hear artistry.”
By day Tony can be found at Woodside High School in Newport News where he serves as Director of Guitars, but by night and on weekends, he’s sharing his gifts and his love of jazz at places like Cogan’s Deli & Sports Pub in New Town and Craft 31. Tony performs at Cogan’s on Monday nights from 7-9pm. On Sundays, jazz lovers can enjoy his inspired sounds at Craft 31 over brunch between 11am and 2pm. Whether he’s playing at a local venue or one in Manhattan’s West Village, folks will hear the same music.
“When I come to the bandstand to perform, I’m coming to pray. Jazz is a very painful music that was born in a really painful time in American history,” said. “It comes from a place of adversity. The best musicians take that adversity and connect it to something within, expressing and connecting through the music.”
Tony is influenced by many different kinds of jazz music. “Jazz is a large umbrella that covers many styles, so I listen to all of it. Swing, Bebop, it’s all jazz. And nowadays there’s a lot more textures and soundscapes, but I’m always going to gravitate to that old-fashioned classic sound, that DNA.”
Lillian was raised by musicians. Her father passed to her a love of all things jazz, so she was particularly excited to meet the subject of this story and learn more about his music and gigs.
Tony Mata, Jazz Guitarist · amata5@icloud.com
