MATT SOBB has been a student of the beat for nearly two decades. His “less-is-more” approach, dynamic power and versatility have made him a popular drummer on the Canadian music scene since 1990. Matt is currently one third of Ottawa rootsy-bluesy uber trio MONKEYJUNK also featuring Tony D and Steve Marriner.
Since 2009, MonkeyJunk has been nominated for 13 Maple Blues Awards and have won 9 including MATT SOBB for Drummer of the Year in January 2011. In February 2009, MonkeyJunk represented Ottawa, Canada at The International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, TN competing amongst 100 bands from Poland, Croatia, Norway, Italy, Israel, Sweden, France, Australia and North America. After the smoke cleared on Beale St., MonkeyJunk had placed THIRD OVERALL! In March 2010, MonkeyJunk won the Canadian Independent Music Award for favourite blues act at Canadian Music Week in Toronto beating out esteemed fellow nominees such as Colin Linden and Colin James. In May 2010, MonkeyJunk won the highly regarded Blues Music Award (formerly W.C. Handy Award) for Best New Artist Debut for their debut CD Tiger In Your Tank. MonkeyJunk is only the second Canadian to win such an award – the only other was the late Jeff Healey.
In April 2009, MonkeyJunk released their debut CD Tiger In Your Tank to critical acclaim thanks to strong support from radio internationally - namely satellite radio, CBC Radio (Canada Live and Saturday Night Blues) as well as many specialty blues radio shows from all over the world including North America, Europe, and South America. MonkeyJunk has toured from coast to coast in Canada several times since its inception and has played several prestigious festivals such as Fredericton, NB’s Harvest Jazz & Blues festival, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, Mont Tremblant Blues festival, Toronto Beaches Jazz festival and others. MonkeyJunk has made 2 trips to Europe. In November 2009, they played the renowned Blues-Sur-Seine festival in Mantes-La-Jolie, France and in February 2011, they showcased in Brussels, Belgium in an effort to line up a tour in spring 2012.
Previous to his commitment to MonkeyJunk, Matt has been a busy freelance drummer. His past endeavours have included playing with, and. Recording and touring with the MARTY SOBB BAND occupied much of the 1990's and beyond but they are currently on indefinite hiatus. Matt's freelancing over the last few years has included Nashville-based TREVOR FINLAY BAND, Ottawa based AL WOOD and THE WOODSMEN; acousti-lectric singer-songwriter JOSHUA MORIN, countrifried indiepop dude ERIC VIEWEG, rock-reggae band LOUDLOVE and ruralistas JUPITER RAY PROJECT. He spent two years in DAVID GOGO's touring band and being one of Ottawa's "go-to guys", he has graced club and festival stages many times playing drums with artists such as Tom Wilson (Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Junkhouse), Jeff Healey, Richard Bell (Janis Joplin, The Band), Bob Kemmis, Johnnie Johnson (Chuck Berry), Shaun Verrault (WideMouthMason), Guitar Shorty, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Paul James, Paul Deslauriers, Suzie Vinnick, The Mighty Popo, Andy J. Forest, Mark May (of Dickey Betts & Great Southern fame); Kaz Kazanoff & the Texas Horns, Lee Oskar (WAR), David Rotundo, Enrico Crivellaro and Michael Pickett. While a member of the JW Jones Blues Band, he recorded and played live with the likes of Gene Taylor and Kim Wilson, both members of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Being pretty heavily entrenched in the blues scene, Matt has had the great pleasure of jamming with many inspiring artists including Colin Linden, Anders Osborne, Otis Grand, Eric Webster (Colin James), Dawn Tyler Watson, Ricky Paquette, Roxanne Potvin, Rick Fines, Garrett Mason, Harry Manx, Jimmy Bowskill, Sue Foley, Elmer Ferrer and Philip Sayce (Melissa Etheridge), Kid Ramos and Candye Cane.
Check out Matt's grooves on the April 2009 debut from MonkeyJunk - TIGER IN YOUR TANK. Also check out the critically acclaimed release from the JW Jones Blues Band - Bogart's Bounce on Northern Blues Music and the latest offering from The Tony D Band entitled Shake For Me . . . Again. Also seek out Eric Vieweg's July 2006 release "The Silver Lining" that received a 4.5/5 star rating from the Ottawa Xpress (it mentions Matt's "lap-tapping percussion!")
With 20 years of live touring and recording experience including appearances at all types of venues from stadiums to festivals to concert halls to clubs, Matt is ready for anything that comes his way. Matt's professional, compatible and easy-going personality allows him to work enthusiastically and productively with many bands and artists. A solid yet tasteful approach is what he employs and what employs him! A genuine love to play music has provided him with the opportunity to enjoy many memorable musical experiences. With continued hard work and some luck, the future should prove to hold many more . . .
Matt proudly endorses LOS CABOS drumsticks and DREAM Cymbals
