Matt Sickels
November 2024
Matt Sickels is a professional musician, guitarist specializing in education and performance. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, Matt has studied music and the guitar in a variety of styles including jazz, rock, pop, funk, blues, alternative, Latin and classical. He was born in Akron, Ohio and began playing the guitar at the age of 12. Matt played guitar throughout high school in the jazz band, musical theater, and in the Ensemble performance group.
Strongly influenced by the music of Carlos Santana, Miles Davis, and Joe Pass. Matt went on to further his studies in the highly renowned Jazz Studies Program at the Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio where he received his certification in Guitar Performance with an emphasis on Jazz Studies. There he studied under the tutelage of Lee Busch, guitarist, and Ernie Krivda, saxophonist, focusing on jazz theory, jazz improvisation, and jazz composition. After completing his studies in Cleveland, Matt moved to the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia to attend the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media’s Guitar Studies program. Matt studied extensively with Carl Culpepper and Randy Hoexter, two musically-acclaimed instructors and mentors who he credits for bringing out the discipline and skills he would need for a lifetime of music achievements and expression. The Atlanta Institute of Music and Media also provided Matt with opportunities to study with renowned guitarists Guthrie Govan and Cory Christiansen.
Today, Matt works and performs with a number of groups and small combo arrangements throughout the southeast and mid-west United States, and has been involved in several recording projects. He has written several compositions and continues to write music that is performed by professional musicians. Matt performs for weddings, bar mitzvahs, private parties, wine tastings, jazz festivals, concerts and special events of all kinds. Matt continues to indulge his passion for the guitar and teaches guitar and music theory privately to roughly 30 students weekly.
Set List
0:10 – “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” by Frankie Valli
3:43 – “Lovefool” by the Cardigans
6:19 – “Human Nature” by Michael Jackson
8:57 – “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder
Follow Matt Sickels
BEHIND THE SCENES
Let’s Talk, Matt!
My favorite part about talking to Matt was hearing his girl-meets-guy-in-a-bar story–the story of how he met his wife. They celebrated their 12th anniversary in Ireland and he dedicated his first cover to her. So sweet!
Matt’s originally from Akron, Ohio, and has been playing guitar since he was 11. After seeing Marty McFly rock out he decided that was his path, so his grandmother taught him to play. While coming from a musical family, Matt says he was never naturally gifted at playing in the same was his brother was, but he had the sheer will to do it. He wanted it bad enough that he would do whatever it took short of selling his soul to the devil. So he just tried really, really hard. And that’s his message to anyone out there who’s interested in getting into music: just get after it!
How did he end up on the east coast? After school in Cleveland he headed to Atlanta, followed by a move to the Carolinas to join a touring tribute 80’s band. He thought he might head to Nashville eventually but met his wife and soon after, North Carolina became home.
Matt teaches full time with Sonora Guitar Mastery Intensive, plays with Karate Club, and performs a bit around town.
Full Soul Session with Matt Sickels
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
One way or another, these songs were inspired by this month’s featured artist. Enjoy!