Matt Tolentino
| Matt Tolentino | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Matthew Anthony Tolentino |
| Born |
May 10, 1985 Dallas, Texas |
| Genres | Pre-swing, Jazz, Dance |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Multiinstrumentalist, Singer, Bandleader |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | Jazzador Records |
| Associated acts | The Singapore Slingers, The Royal Klobasneks, The Matt Tolentino Band |
| Website |
matttolentino |
Matt Tolentino (born May 10, 1985) is a Dallas, Texas musician and bandleader specializing in the live performance and preservation of pre-swing music, with a focus on American popular songs from 1920 to 1935. Tolentino sings and plays music from "between the World Wars" regularly at numerous Dallas venues as a solo (accordion) act, as leader of a four-piece ensemble called The Matt Tolentino Band, as leader of a seven-piece polka band called The Royal Klobasneks, and most notably as leader of a full eighteen-piece orchestra called The Singapore Slingers, which has been named the "Best Pre-Swing Jazz Orchestra" and the "coolest, quirkiest, retro jazz group" in Dallas.[1]
Tolentino's fascination with jazz-age music began at age 8, when a neighbor gave him a cassette tape recording of the Coffee Club Orchestra (as featured on radio's A Prairie Home Companion).[2] By age 16, his devotion to music was such that he asked his parents to help him buy a used accordion instead of a used car.[3] He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 2003.[4] A musical autodidact, Tolentino sings lead vocals and plays many instruments, including clarinet, tuba, bass saxophone, ukulele, banjo, piano, and accordion.[5]
Recognition
In early 2014, Tolentino was profiled in connection with his brainchild annual Jazz Age Sunday Social concert event at Dallas Heritage Village.[6] A photo spread of his home and its period decor was also featured.[7]
In late 2014, Tolentino was recognized by the Dallas Observer as number 42 among the 100 most creative people in Dallas.[8]
Discography
- When Summer Is Gone (CD) (pre-swing music recorded by The Singapore Slingers) (2010)
- Midnight, The Stars, And You (CD) (Matt Tolentino solo project) (2011)
- The Frank Skinner Project (CD) (pre-swing music recorded by The Singapore Slingers) (2014)
- Here We Go! (CD) (polka music recorded by The Royal Klobasneks) (2016)
References
- ↑ http://www.dallasobserver.com/bestof/2011/award/best-pre-swing-jazz-orchestra-2400483
- ↑ http://www.modernluxury.com/modern-luxury-dallas/articles/the-swing
- ↑ Jon Nielsen (January 10, 2011). "Band is so last century, and leader's fine with it". Dallas Morning News.
- ↑ Christina Babb (January 1, 2010). "The Singapore Slingers". Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate.
- ↑ Christina Babb (January 1, 2010). "The Singapore Slingers". Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate.
- ↑ Lauren Smart (March 13, 2014). "Glimpse into Matt Tolentino's Jazz Age Life at the Sunday Social March 30". Dallas Observer.
- ↑ Catherine Downes (March 17, 2014). "Matt Tolentino's 1920s House". Dallas Observer.
- ↑ Caroline North (November 17, 2014). "100 Dallas Creatives: No. 42 Anachronistic Musician Matt Tolentino". Dallas Observer.
External links
- Official website – matttolentino.com