Hi there my name is Matt Zimbel and our social media advisor told me to write something about myself. Over the course of our renewed social media life I have enjoyed writing about my band compatriots immensely… writing about me, not so much. You see I was born in the United States and moved to Canada when I was fourteen so I have a lot of that American bravado mixed with that Canadian modesty. You might say I’m conflicted but I’m fucking awesome at being conflicted. I’m also super good at being modest, one of the most modest people I know, me.
I guess one would have to say I’m an optimist, I lead a nine-piece world jazz band with two crew members… but you know, when I’m on stage and the nine of us hit a shot at the same time, and I can hear the notes decay into the silence of the air between and I can hear the precision of the front of house mix bang off the wall at the back of the house and a bank of lights land right at that exact moment allowing me to see that look on the face of the audience, that look that says, “you just sucked all the air out of the room”, well then I think, “no, I’m good, with the 11 of us. I’m real good with that”.
Our band and crew works very hard to thrill our audience and I am extremely proud of everyone on this team. That’s me. Out!
Well, I thought that was “out” but the social media advisor (aka “my employers”) have effectively told me that this missive “will have to be re-written before it is good enough to be rejected” (a quote by the famous editor at The Toronto Star, Ralph Allen).
The question was posed… ”when you are not doing Manteca – what are you doing?” Ok fair enough. Last year I co-wrote and co-directed a feature documentary about my father the photographer George Zimbel. You can watch the trailer for Zimbelism here where you will recognize the music… Also last year I wrote and directed a documentary for Canal D about how I learned how to speak French. One of the things that I did during the doc, was challenge myself to do a set of stand-up comedy in French at a huge comedy festival in Quebec City. It was the scariest thing I have ever done in my life. You can read about it at the Montreal Gazette. Last year I also had the incredible opportunity to work with CBC Sports as the producer of the opening for the 2015 Toronto Pan Am Games, which was created by Cirque du Soleil… which you can see a clip of here.
One other thing I do when I’m not touring or recording with Manteca is that I love to write and you can find a recent piece here at mattzimbel.com
Enjoy!
Mz
JACK BARNES
MATT LOVE THE COWBELL (PHONE-LIKE & CUDDLE) PHOTO! APPRECIATE A COPY.
I AM A RETIRED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHER AND STILL ACTIVE PERCUSSION-IST. (I HAVE BEEN SIDELINED FOR ABOUT THE LAST 8 YEARS DUE TO A BRAIN INJURY SUSTAINED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. HOME NOW AND ON FIRE TO MAKE & WRITE MUSIC). LOVE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR PROJECTS.
DOING A BOOK CALLED “IMPROVEYES” (insights into artistic creativity – various styles of music, dance, art mediums/ media). It involves getting bio data from people, doing an interview, and requesting a couple of sound=clips. I hope to gather material and transfer to print in June in time for some summer music festivals her in LONDON.
EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES IN THE FALL AND NEXT YEAR AS WELL AS SITE IN DEVEL-
OPMENT should assist sales.
WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU AGREE TO BE PART OF THIS IF YOU COULD FORWARD ME SOME MATERIAL (BIO DATA). TWO PAGES ARE AVAILABLE FOR A NOMINAL FEE IN THE BOOK TO PROMOTE ARTISTS (cd, dvd, photo, etc. products, prices, ordering).
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF INTERESTED OR IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
JACK BARNES
DRUMANTICKS
57 SIMMS COURT,
LONDON, ONTARIO
N5Z 5E7
David Green
I simply enjoy working and relaxing with the music of the band behind me, sometimes soft often loud. As I have recently subscribed to Spotify I am thrilled to find the band’s albums there and I hope my subscription results in payment to the musicians of Manteca.
Maurice Benson
Hi Matt I don’t know if you remember me from the Roxbrough road apartment days I was the Hairdresser Maurice living on the 3rd floor any way 30 years later Lol! I was sitting home listening to Reuben Vincent’s on Mixcloud and one of his cuts was one of your songs which was strictly percussion so I texted him and low and behold it was your music and had great things to say so here we are .
zimbel
Who could forget Maurice ! Nice to hear from you – where are you these days… email me at zimbel@videotron.ca i rarely check this website. best m
Rob maat
I heard the band play at a bar I believe in the winter of 1983. In Hamilton Ontario. I have not heard your music until tonight my 35 anniversary. The music is as great as ever. And with my Latino wife I have developed a huge appreciation of Latin rhythms
Many thanks for the memories
zimbel
Rob so great to know that we have come back into your life! We play Markham Jazz Festival on the 17th of August – hope you can join us!