Benjamin Matlack
Benjamin Muñiz Matlack was born in Boston, MA and started his musical journey at the age of seven, when he began studying the trumpet. Soon after, he began learning both the guitar and bass and started performing on all three instruments in a variety of bands.
After earning his degree in Music at Guilford College
in Greensboro, NC he moved to New Orleans, LA to pursue a career as a full time professional musician.
Over the course of the next seven years, Benjamin performed exhaustively with a variety of different
bands ranging from jazz and brass band music to afrobeat, rock, and hip-hop. Frequently playing at the most
popular venues in New Orleans, he also headlined multiple festivals and was an integral part of the 2nd line and parade culture. In addition to a full performance schedule, Benjamin also taught trumpet, guitar, and bass through Crescent Music to students of all ages and skill levels.
Recently, Benjamin decided to relocate to Alameda with his fiancé to focus on teaching and performing
his original compositions, which can be found online on your favorite streaming services. Although he has
released many albums with many bands, he is most proud of his original latin jazz record “Todo Tuyo” which he
released under his own name. Benjamin’s teaching focuses on cultivating a passion for music while developing
a fundamental understanding of music theory and improvisation.
Alive or Dead, What Musician would you do anything to see?
I would have loved to see the great John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie or Led Zeppelin in their prime.
Greatest Musical Influence?
Miles Davis time and time again
Any hidden talents besides music?
I like to cook, and conversely to eat!
What did you want to be while you were growing up?
Always a musician!
If you could have any ‘Super Power’, which one would it be?
I’d love to freeze time, then I would finally have all the time in the world to relax!
If you could master any other instrument which would it be?
The drums always seemed like so much fun!
Have you had what people would consider your “15 Minutes of Fame”, and if so when/what was that?
I performed for a crowd of about 30,000 at the Electric Forest music festival with Beats Antique!
It’s your last meal: What would it be?
Medium rare ribeye steak with sweet potato fries and lots of crabmeat thrown in on top
You are sent to a deserted island, and you only have one album to listen to: Which is it?
A compilation of the complete works of Miles Davis lol
If you could leave one lesson with your students what would it be?
