Matt Nickson
Matt is a saxophonist, flautist and clarinet player.

The Matt in Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club he has been one of the main driving forces in jazz and live music over the last 30 years in North West England.
Matt has a huge full sound on tenor and a flowing melodic playing style. He learnt his craft on the streets busking in his teenage years and also running and promoting bands from a very young age.

His tireless promotion of jazz in Manchester and the North of England lead to the foundation of Iroko Records in 1996 and Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club in 1999.

It was at Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club that Matt had the chance to stage the music for a greater audience, giving local and international musicians a rare platform outside of London Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club became world famous and has been key in the development of the Manchester Jazz scene. The development of the musicians was a key role in the ethos of the club in those early days and residences were given so the individual musicians and bands including;

Matt Halsall, Stuart Macallum, GoGoPenguin, Andy Hay (house drummer for 5 years), Kyla Brox (european blues champion), Jon Thorne, Kevin Davey, Nat Birchal

“It was vital that the musician could “try out” without any artistic restrictions placed up them”

Some of Matt’s projects include:

CRaB

Which includes the virtuoso bass of internationally acclaimed musician Michael Cretu on Double Bass and the impeccable percussion of the legendary Manchester DJ/percussionist Chris Cruiks.

Calaita Flamenco Son.

Album of the same name is out on World Music Network’s Riverboat Records Label features the Triana/Seville born Flamenco singer Chico Pere, Glenn Sharpe on guitar and fellow Seville musician Leo Paredes on percussion

MØNSTER a quartet featuring the incredible pianist Mads Heide from Copenhagen, Andy Hay, Drums and founder of GO GO Penguin Grant Russell, Double Bass.

Selected Biog

Andy Hay, CHAPTER AND THE VERSE, E-Lustrious, Jam MCs