After thirty years and sixteen albums songwriter, vocalist and harmonica player Matyas Pribojszki AKA Jumping Matt continues to find new and interesting ways in which to engage listeners. Jumping Matt & His Combo’s Forward is a twelve-song program that includes all original songs.
These songs are wrapped in an aural landscape which has a subtle jazz hue. Matt is joined by Victor Hamvas on organ and piano. These two lead the charge with tremendous musical empathy. They are bolstered by the top flight rhythm section of Daniel Molnar on drums and bassist Laszlo Csizmadia. Special guests include a four-piece horn section and three female back-up singers who enhance this spirited coupling between blues and jazz.
A personal favorite is the album’s lone instrumental “Beyond the Golden Gate” which was penned by the entire combo. Jumping Matt & His Combo are responsible for all the arrangements on this exciting offering.
As much as I love the scenery here, it is the story telling I find the most compelling. Matt told me recently that the songs on this album come from the real-life experiences over the past five years, that he described as an “emotional rollercoaster.” This ride has included the collapse of friendships and the loss of his parents.
Matt stresses that life has also shown its positive side through all of these travails and that is what comes through in his vocal delivery. His singing is soulful, nuanced and subtle. Jumping Matt & His Combo exude an ebullience that makes Forward a very rewarding listening experience. This music is steeped in resiliency and redemption and that’s what the blues is all about.
– David Mac BLUES JUNCTION Productions
QUOTES, TESTIMONIALS
„The songs are mostly up-tempo numbers designed, I imagine, for the dance floor… because when you’re listening to them, it’s extremely difficult to NOT move in time with the beat. The songs are catchy, the band’s playing is hot, and Pribojszki’s harp playing is outstanding. Playing diatonic or chromatic, his playing is imaginative, spirited, technically precise, and most importantly, tasteful…very tasteful!”
– Dave Orban (BLUESBLAST MAGAZINE, USA)
„This Hungarian vocalist, harmonica player, Matyas Pribojszki’s latest release is very strong. He records under the guise of Jumping Matt & His Combo (feat. Custom Big Band). Great original songwriting and powerful arrangements make „Dressed Up” a real treat! This is an irresistibly album.”
– David Mac (Blues Junction Productions, USA)
„Jumping Matt & his Combo, under that name we will probably hear more of Mátyás Pribojszki (performing under his stage name “Jumping Matt”). With 'Dressed Up', his (debut) album with the Custom Big Band, he deserves all the credit. That Pribojszki knows the Custom Big Band much longer, they let that be heard in swinging escapades and energetic jumping boogies…”
– Eric Schuurmans (rootstime.be)
„From the kick-off Matt and his friends overwhelmed us with the up-tempo West Coast jump and bluesy boogierockers. For the old school jump and swinging blues enthusiast a must to have this CD in his collection. Jumping Matt & His Combo know how to play a live audience. Now we have to get them on a stage here somewhere in the Low Countries…”
– Philip Verhaege (keysandchord.com)
„Your band sounds great and your harp playing is amazing! So I’m knocked out to be on your cd!”
– Charlie Musselwhite (Multi-Award Winner Blues Musician, Blues Legend, USA)
„Matt is an impressive virtuoso harmonica player and has an original style. He also has a very nice singing voice, and his band kicks the ass of many US bands”
– Rick Estrin (Multi-Award Winner Blues Musician, Blues Legend, USA)
„Matyas Pribojszki is definitely a brilliant instrumentalist; his tasteful playing can by all means compete with the best harmonica players of the blues planet."
– Jean Jacques Milteau (Hohner Harmonica Artist, France)