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Matt Otto Quartet

This Quartet focuses on original material written by each of its members. The purpose of the group is to allow each player an outlet for self expression through composition and improvised performance in a supportive and comfortable musical environment. The Matt Otto Quartet includes:

Matt Otto - studied music performance and composition at the Indiana University, Berklee School of Music, The New School for Social Research (BFA) and California Institute of the Art (MFA). Having lived in Japan, New York City and Los Angeles he has performed with a variety of artists, including Reggie Workman, Charlie Haden , Larry Koonse, Rashid Bakr, Ben Monder, Wada Leo Smith, Willie Jones III, Anthony Wilson, Alan Ferber, Tom Harrell, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Gregory Hutchinson, Joe La Barbera, Junior Mance, Leroy Vinegar, Jimmy Smith and others. He currently plays and has recorded with the Anthony Wilson Nonet (The Power of Nine; Groove Note 1035, 2006), Joeless Shoe ( Joeless Shoe,2007) as well as leading his own groups (53 West 19th, Noir Records 1996), (Red, Origin Records 2000) and appearing on 15 CDs as a side man.

Jason Harnell - started playing the drums at the ripe old age of six, when long-time friend of the family, Louie Bellson gave him his first real drum set. Extensive private study was to follow with teachers such as Hank Bellson Shelly Manne, Joe Porcaro, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Jeff Hamilton, Joe LaBarbara, and Larry Goldings. After attending the University of South Florida, as a jazz performance major, Jason moved to Los Angeles in 1990. Since relocating to Los Angeles, Jason has been very active as a performer and has become one of the most sought after jazz drummers on the West Coast. A partial list of the artists he has collaborated with include: Kei Akagi, Sheryl Bailey, John Beasley, Adam Benjamin, Steve Cardenas, Jay Clayton, Dave Carpenter, Lea DeLaria, Maynard Ferguson, Keith Ganz, Shelia Jordan, Kate McGarry, MOSS (Theo Bleckman, Lauren Kinhan, Peter Eldridge), Josh Nelson, Darek Oles, Jack Reilly, Jack Sheldon, Bob Sheppard, Ron Stout, Steve Tavaglione, Gary Versace, and Ben Wendel. Currently, Jason is leading his own trio featuring Larry Koonse and Joe Bagg as well as being a member of the Matt Otto Quartet (featuring Ryan McGillicudy and Steve Cotter). Jason is also a member of the bassless trio “Joe-Less Shoe” (with Matt Otto and Jamie Rosenn) who just released their first CD (http://cdbaby.com/cd/joelessshoe).

These days Jason maintains a busy teaching schedule as well. He is currently on faculty at University California Irvine as jazz drum instructor and has been since 2005. He also teaches at the Musicians Institute (P.I.T.) in Hollywood where he instructs private students as well as teaching a class of his own design entitled "Bebop and Beyond: Developing Musical Creativity on the Drum Set.

Since moving to Los Angeles in 2003, Ryan McGillicuddy has forged a place for himself as a bassist and composer in the creative music scene. His vibrant organic approach has earned him work with many of the area's finest musicians.
Growing up in Houlton, Maine, with a musical family, Ryan developed a love for music at an early age. Although he was largely self-taught on bass, Ryan began attending summer jazz workshops at age 13. It was here that he became familiar with the jazz tradition, receiving instruction from such notable musicians as George Garzone, Ben Street, and Chuck Findley. After graduating high school, Ryan furthered his studies at the University of North Texas, receiving his Masters in 2003. It was at North Texas that Ryan began playing the upright bass, which quickly became his instrument of choice. At North Texas he studied under noted bassists Fred Hamilton, John Adams, and Lynn Seaton. During his studies at North Texas he was able to accompany such jazz legends as Benny Green, Pete Christlieb, Matt Wilson, Bill Charlap, Ed Soph, Dan Hearle, Stephan Karlsson and many more. He continued his studies in Los Angeles with the legendary bassist John Clayton.
Recently, Ryan has shared the stage as a sideman with Kate McGarry, Greg Osby, Anthony Wilson, Larry Koonse, the Duke Ellington Orchestra and is a regular member of the Shelley Carroll Quartet. He has toured extensively in the United States as well as in Japan, Korea, Europe, and the middle east. Ryan currently performs and composes with the LA based trio 3-ish, among many other groups.

Steve Cotter's first interest in jazz and studying guitar came about in his 17th year. Born on May 6th, 1969, in Inglewood, California, Steve spent his childhood years in Huntington Beach where he acquired a guitar at age 11. It was not until his senior year in high school that he made the conscience decision to study music.He began his studies at Orange Coast College and in three years he transfered to the University of North Texas on scholarship where he obtained a Bachelors and Masters in music. Cotter excelled at the esteemed college playing in the One O' Clock band and obtaining the graduate teaching fellowship in which he taught guitar classes and directed the Six O' Clock Lab Band. He was featured on four One O' Clock albums including his composition "Time's Wait" on Lab 95'. At UNT he played along side distinguished jazz performers including Marc Johnson, Buster Wiliams, Gerry Muligan, and Randy Brecker.
In 1995, he returned to Southern California and formed various bands alongside such talented musicians including Matt Otto, Joe Bagg, Dave Sills, James Mahone, Danton Boller, and Willie Jones III. In 1997 he had made his home in Los Angeles and began three years of touring with Bobby Caldwell, traveling to Japan, Europe and throughout the U.S. He has performed with such notables as Joey DeFrancesco, Jimmy Smith, Dave Pike, John Pisano, Bill Perkins, Dale Fielder, Jane Getz, Bob Maize, Ernie Watts, Lew Soloff, Lou Marini, and Ramon Banda. He has recorded on several CDs including Bette Midler's Tribute to Pegg Lee, Bobby Caldwell's Come Rain or Come Shine, Matt Otto's 53 West 19th, Evan Stone's Sticks and Stones, Josh Nelson's Anticipation, and Jerry Pinter's Caminos Cruzados. His compositions have been recorded by artists including Dan St.Marseilles Swinging Saint. In 2005 to the present he has toured extensively with vocalist Steve Tyrell to Europe, Japan, Russia, and the U.S. including residencies in New York City. While in Los Angeles he teaches at Citrus College, performs at various venues, and is currently working on a CD featuring his original compositions.
Some of Steve Cotter's influences include Sonny Rollins, Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery, Peter Bernstein, Ron Eschete, Charlie Parker, J.S. Bach and the great author Henry Miller.

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Here are some music samples:

Transformation

Paris Commune

Cinturon

Storm Song

Tenebrous