About Matt Underwood

I started out playing banjo at the age of 8 with my granddad whose first cousin is bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley. I began playing guitar at the age of 10. I took lessons from several jazz greats and began playing at local blues jams at the age of 18. My first professional work was with Earl Gilliam one of the godfathers of blues piano. We played at notable establishments like Antone’s in Austin Texas and several festivals during those years.

Later I played with a number of local and national level musicians playing all styles of music typically rock, county, R&B and jazz. This led me to working with the Fellowship of the Woodlands Church for over five years. The Fellowship of the Woodlands is a non-denominational mega church which has become the 9th largest church in the US. I performed on stage weekly for all the services at the worship center that seats 4,400 people, draws 16,380 in average attendance each weekend and is broadcast worldwide.

During that time I also played with R&B singer Mary Griffin. This led me to working with the Walker Entertainment Group. I enjoyed the opportunity to play with a number of national level entertainers and major events including: Patti Labelle, Regina Belle, Chante Moore, Angie Stone, Yolanda Adams, Ruben Studdard, Archie Bell, The Temptations, a tribute for Quincy Jones in Las Vegas, the City of Houston Mayor’s inaugurations, July 4th Freedom Over Texas Celebration, the City of Houston Birthday Celebration, Mayor of Houston Christmas function, the Houston Symphony, the Deborah Duncan TV Show, Jazz trumpet great Terrence Blanchard, saxophonist Kyle Turner, Chris Walker, singers from the Voice and American Idol, and others.

While I have enjoyed performing with highly skilled musicians and entertainers for many years, I have also enjoyed teaching for over twenty years. My objective is to help each student develop knowledge of music and an understanding of music theory as it pertains to the genre of music they enjoy. I help students understand and express music as a language.

Analogy: Developing an understanding of music theory is the difference between reading a speech (Playing a sheet of music) and having a relaxed conversation with a friend (skillful improvisation).