PROJECTS
"Agreements" is Matthew Halpin's debut album as a leader. It was released in May 2021 on Frutex Tracks. Recorded at Riverside Studios in Cologne, it features four of Halpin's dearest colleagues from various musical scenes that he was able to be a part of since the beginning of his career. The album consists of all original music.
Dog Day Afternoon |
comp. Matthew Halpin
Matthew Halpin | saxophone & comp.
Kit Downes | hammond organ
Hanno Busch | guitar
Sean Carpio | drums
Sergio Martinez | percussion
-> You can buy the album here!
Last Chance Dance
The trio Last Chance Dance is a project recently founded by the Irish saxophonist Matthew Halpin and two of Cologne's most in demand jazz musicians, upright bassist David Helm and drummer Fabian Arends. Their debut album of the same name was recorded in October 2015 and was released with Toy Piano Records in November 2016.
The group's repertoire reflects not only their musical tastes but more importantly their shared appreciation for traditional jazz music and its story telling potential, as mastered by musicians like Sonny Rollins. Their clear, energetic and playful way of interpreting music gives a new glow even to the most heard jazz standard, inviting the audience to lean back and witness pure spontaneity, wordless understanding and expressive musicianship.
Trinkle Tinkle |
comp. Thelonious Monk
Matthew Halpin | saxophone
David Helm | double bass
Fabian Arends | drums
The Owl Ones
The Owl Ones is an ongoing collaboration between Matthew and Austrian singer and songwriter Veronika Morscher. The music is a mixture of original compositions and some simple arrangements of classic songs and jazz standards. In this setting, the intention is to create honest, emotive, music that is colourful and sophisticated without coming across as over complicated or arranged. The Owl Ones released their first album "Shadow Loves the Sun" in May 2015. This features two incredible pianists, Kit Downes (UK) and Pablo Held (GER).
Shadow Loves the Sun |
comp. M. Halpin, lyrics V. Morscher
Matthew Halpin | saxophone
Veronika Morscher | voice
Pablo Held | piano
Kit Downes | piano
Cats Out of the Bag
Cats Out of the Bag is one of Matthew's Cologne based projects. It features Hanno Busch on guitar, David Helm on electric bass, Dominik Mahnig and Silvio Morger on drums. This electric double drummer group plays mostly Halpin originals happily stumbling through genres with a positive, energetic and positively exciting gusto. This group has performed locally and some recordings from these concerts have subsequently been set to video.
Burden Of Truth |
comp. M. Halpin
Matthew Halpin | saxophone
Hanno Busch | electric guitar
David Helm | electric bass
Dominik Mahnig | drums
Silvio Morger | drums
Matthew Halpin's Earwax Control
Earwax Control is a group with varying personnel which features live improvisation with projected visuals. It engages audience members fully both visually and sonically. As the audience watches the projected visuals, they can understand the musical choices and reactions of the musicians. The visuals provide a red tape for the audience to guide them through exciting and dynamic free improvisation. Comprised of mostly classic movie footage and classic cartoons, the visuals paired with modern and expressive music are intrinsically humorous, absurd and captivating.
Spilt Milk
Having worked together in trio format for "The Owl Ones" and various other formations, Matthew Halpin and Veronika Morscher decided to join forces again. This time playing with a band featuring guitarists Hanno Busch and Martin Schulte, bassist Roger Kintopf and drummer Silvio Morger. The music is a combination of each of their original work and some collaborations. This group will be recording all their newest material in spring 2018, due to be released in autumn 2018.
How Long Has This Been Going On |
comp. G. Gershwin
Photo by Peter Tümmers
For booking inquiries, please send an email via the contact page.
Released in 2015
Background photo by Peter Tümmers