Matt Heaton
Like a lot of guitar players, I have gone through a lot of different attempts to get “the sound.” When I recently got a new instrument and was bemoaning the “pickup conundrum,” my friend said “Just put a K&K in it!” I must say, I’ve never been more pleased than with the Pure Pickup. The absolute ease (no battery, no blender) and great sound is a balm. It sounds great through my complicated preamp AND through a house DI. For a player such as myself who wants to concentrate on playing, not sound checking, the K&K Pure Mini is an absolute gift.
Guitar/bouzouki player Matt Heaton is the son of noted organist/composer Charles Heaton, who instilled in Matt a love of music from an early age. His earliest exposure to Irish music was through an unlabeled cassette tape which contained “The Planxty Collection.” His search for more led him to the vibrant Chicago session scene, and eventually to flute player (and now wife) Shannon Heaton.
Matt’s style reflects an amalgam of influences without losing the context of the music. (His background includes a degree in Classical Guitar, recordings with a tango ensemble, late nights with a surf band and more recently, an early morning career playing music for young kids.) Through it all he remains a sensitive and informed accompanist for whom the music is more important than the instrument.
In addittion to performing with Shannon, he often plays with Irish singer Karan Casey.
He is an active teacher of Irish music, and has taught at Portal Irish Music Week, Milwaukee Irish Fest School, Catskills Irish Arts Week, O’Flaherty Retreat, Acadia Trad week and others. His easy going manner and ability to demystify both technique and theory make him a favorite among students.
Outside of Irish music, Matt has a busy scheudle playing guitar and ukulele for younger listeners. He brings the same high standards of musicianship to his children’s/family music, and enjoys introducing pre schoolers to a variety of mid century gutiar styles.
