A World of Piano: Matthew Shipp

Matthew Shipp (piano)

With his unique and recognizable style, pianist Matthew Shipp has worked and recorded vigorously since the late ’80s, creating music in which free jazz and modern classical intertwined. He first became well known in the early ’90s as the pianist in the David S. Ware Quartet, and soon began leading his own dates — most often including Ware bandmate and leading bassist William Parker — and recording a number of duets with a variety of musicians, from the legendary Roscoe Mitchell to violinist Mat Maneri.

Through his range of live and recorded performances and unswerving individual development, Shipp has come to be regarded as a prolific and respected voice in creative music into the new millennium. Born on December 7th, 1960 and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, he grew up around ’50s jazz recordings. Shipp moved to New York City in 1984 and soon met bassist William Parker, among others. Both were playing with tenor saxophonist Ware by 1989. Meanwhile, Shipp had debuted as a recording artist in a duo with alto player Rob Brown on “Sonic Explorations”, recorded in November 1987 and February 1988. He then went on to lead his own trio with Parker and drummers Whit Dickey and Susie Ibarra. Shipp has led dates for a number of labels, including FMP, No More, Eremite, Thirsty Ear, and Silkheart. In 2000, he began acting as curator for “Thirsty Ear’s Blue Series”. This excellent series hosted a number of Shipp’s own recordings, as well as the recordings of William Parker, Tim Berne, Roy Campbell, Craig Taborn, Spring Heel Jack and Mat Maneri.