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One of the only acts in the world led by a violinist, Matt Stedman's fiery electric violin, harmonica, and lead vocals drive the band. Audiences are constantly electrified by the passion, intensity, energy, and undeniable musicality flowing from every show. Performing standards and unique and captivating originals, the Matt Stedman Band is a must see!

From fingerstyle funk to blues, to rock, to classical contrabass and straight ahead swing, bassist Brian Burke has his, well..... bases covered!

You may have heard or seen Brian recently on one of his numerous television or radio appearances which include appearances on WGN morning news and PBS's "Arts Across Illinois" with internationally renowned Zydeco artists Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies.

Brian made his first forays into the world of professional music while still in high school, playing with Chicago blues musicians Half-Blind Mike, AC Turner, and "Killer" Ray Allison. He also gained experience performing for weddings and private parties in small jazz groups.

Next, Brian was awarded the Trustees Scholarship for music from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Highlights of his time at Cornell include being inducted into the PHI KAPPA LAMBDA national music honor society, being named to the Iowa All-Star Collegiate Jazz Band, playing riverboat cruises with the Dick Jurgens Orchestra, and touring Europe as the principal bassist of the Cornell Philharmonic. In 2001 Brian graduated with a Bachelor of Music in String Bass Performance.

At this point, Brian moved to the Chicago area where he received an assistantship to study at Northern Illinois University. His duties included performing in the NIU Philharmonic and acting as a low string specialist in the Sycamore school district. While involved in all of this, Brian studied with bassist Marlene Rosenberg. He began playing with Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies, touring the United States and Europe. He earned a Masters of Music in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy in 2003.

Today you will find Brian involved in several projects. The desire to express through music and achieve a high level of artistry never ends. He continues to perform to sold out audiences throughout the country with Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies. He is a proud member of the the all original rock group Soundframe, which has had it's music performed on the radio and been the feature of radio interviews. He is also involved in many other performing projects and teaches privately on electric and acoustic bass as well as guitar.

In July of 2004, Brian met Matt Stedman while both performed on the same gig in Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies. Brian and Matt instantly connected as they quickly spoke of forming a band. This conversation sparked the band idea which soon became a reality several months later. Brian has been the bassist for the Matt Stedman Band since its inception in November of 2004.

Kenny Smith was raised in the heart of the Chicago blues scene. While other babies listened to nursery rhymes, Kenny listened to the blues, and the blues in Kenny's house were played by America's finest. His father, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, is one of the best-known living blues drummers. Willie played in Muddy Waters's band for some 30 years. So, it's only natural that Kenny would grow up with a drumstick in his hand and a back beat in his head. Muddy Waters and his band were like family to Kenny, they encouraged his music and were his mentors.

In a recent article about Kenny's drumming capabilities Robert Margolin said: "...Kenny ... plays in the moment and provides a great drum part in any musical situation. He listens and creates in an instant. Kenny is certainly already one of the best drummers out there. Trust me on that. I've been on bandstands with some of the best---and the worst."

While Kenny acknowledges that his father taught him 99% of what he knows, he has also studied with such great drummers as Odie Payne, Fred Below, Earl Phillips, S. P. Leary, Francis Clay and Art Blakey.

Kenny has performed with an impressive list of blues legends, that includes Pinetop Perkins, Big Bill Morganfield, Homesick James, Honeyboy Edwards, Henry Townsend, Rusty Zinn, Fingers Taylor, Mississippi Heat and The Cashbox Kings - just to name a few. He has played on more than 50 albums with artists like Jody Williams, Big Jack Johnson, Aron Burton, Lurrie Bell, Dave Myers, Kim Wilson, Paul deLay, Junior Wells and the Legendary Blues Band.

Kenny recently stated: "I am seriously developing my piano playing and my vocals. The harp is just a hobby, but the drums are my heart and soul. If there comes a time when I feel the blues is dying, I will make a Kenny Smith CD to carry on the tradition, to keep the blues alive. I grew up with the blues all around me, from the very day I was born, so the traditional blues will always be a big part of me. I can play different styles of music but I learned it all from the blues."

In April of 2005, Kenny received an email from Matt Stedman inquiring about his interest and availability as a drummer and vocalist in the Matt Stedman Band. This email was hardly out of the blue. A few weeks earlier, Matt met and performed for the first time with blues legends Bob Margolin and Willie Smith (Kenny's father) at the Rumboogie Cafe' in Memphis, TN. Matt expressed his desire to find a truly great drummer, and Bob and Willie strongly recommended Kenny.

Kenny decided to take a gig with the Matt Stedman band and never looked back. From the first note and crack of the drums, their was instant musical chemistry between Kenny and Matt, and their performance was electric. Since May of 2005, Kenny has been the solid foundation of the Matt Stedman Band as a drummer and vocalist.

At the age of seven, Thom knew his calling was music as he began his training on the piano. Thom was inspired by the classic movie Amadeus, written about the life of the great classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Thom's passion and love of music grew as he continued his studies with piano as well while mastering the art of composition throughout middle school and into high school. In June of 1997, Thom graduated high school at Benet Academy in Lisle, IL with sky high musical aspirations.

For More Information Please Visit The Link Below
www.mattstedman.com Click on the following links for our other services:
Irish, Scottish, Celtic & Ceilidh Bands All Chicagoland Area
String Quartet All Chicagoland Area
Tribute & Cover Bands All Chicagoland Area

Among other cities, Matt Stedman Music Incorporated may serve the following Chicago IL areas: Chicago, Aurora, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Carol Stream, Oak Lawn, Palatine, Bedford Park, Evanston, Joliet, Naperville, Oak Brook, Des Plaines, Elgin, Harwood Heights, Hinsdale, Lincolnwood, Melrose Park, Oak Park, Shorewood, Bensenville, Barrington Hills, Beach Park, Arlington Heights, Bolingbrook, Crystal Lake, Downers Grove, Fox Valley, Green Oaks, Lemont