Matthew Watson resides in New York City as a freelance musician.

He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance from Arizona State University, and attended New York University's Broadway Percussion Seminar. His performance background ranges from participating in drum corps, jazz combos and big bands, symphony orchestras, cruise ship show bands, pit orchestras, and more. 

Matthew has performed throughout the United States with national touring musicals including Disney’s Aladdin, Frozen, A Christmas Story, The Musical, and Memphis: The Musical. He currently performs with the Off-broadway musical Titanique at the Daryl Roth Theatre. He has served four contracts as the show band drummer playing across the world with Princess Cruises.

Matthew has had the fortunate opportunity to play alongside and accompany many accomplished musicians and groups including the The Boston Brass, The Voice AU's Fem Belling, the Salt River Brass, Jens Lindemann, Sam Pilafian, Naki Ataman, and Kym Purling among others. Matt was a featured guest artist with The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps indoor production show entitled, Center Stage. 

He has studied privately with Dom Moio, JB Smith, Mike Kocour, Bill Sallak, and Josh Gottry.

National Tours:

Frozen (First National Tour): Disney Theatricals. Music Director - Faith Seetoo. (Sub Drummer)

Aladdin the Musical (North American Tour): Disney Theatricals. Music Director - Brent-Alan Huffman. (Drummer)

A Christmas Story, The Musical (Holiday Season 2015, 2016): Big League Productions. Musical Director (2015) – Logan Medland. Musical Director (2016) - Andrew Smithson. (Drummer)

Memphis the Musical (January – May 2015): Prather Touring. Musical Director – Scott Williams. (Drummer)

Fiddler on the Roof (October 2012 – April 2013): Prather Entertainment Group. Musical Director – Danny White. (Drums/Percussion)

All Shook Up (January – May 2011): Prather Entertainment Group. Musical Director – Kevin Winebold. (Drummer)

New York:

Titanique (2021-Present): Maximum Entertainment Productions. Music Director: Nicholas Connell

The Boys of Syracuse (2018): Musicals Tonight. Music Director: Evan Rees

Metropolis Wedding Band (January 2016 – Present): Drummer in New York City based wedding band. Represented by Faze 4 Orchestras.

The Rave Ons (January 2014 – Present): Drummer in New York City based Buddy Holly tribute band performing across the United States.

New York City Fringe Festival (2015) “Hell is For Real” (Drums/Percussion): Book, Music, and Lyrics by Gary Apple, Music Director - Logan Medland

Regional:

The Palms Theater (October – December 2014): Productions include - Forever Plaid, Miracle on 34th Street (sub). Musical Director – Khris Dodge (Drums)

Showtune Productions (2012 – 2016): Drummer performing in revue shows featuring the music of Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly, Broadway Hits, Best of 50s/60s/70s, and more.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theater (2010 – 2012): Productions include: Legally Blonde, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, Annie (sub), Sugar (sub), Brigadoon, Christmas Carol. (Drums/Percussion).

Circa ’21 Playhouse (2012): Smokey Joe’s Café, Showtune Productions Tracks (Recording Drummer).

Sunny Slope Youth Theater (2008 – 2012): Productions include: Pirates of Penzance, Children of Eden, Bye Bye Birdie, Crazy For you, Once Upon a Mattress (Percussion).

Phoenix Boys Choir (2010 – 2014): Accompanying Percussionist for Grammy Award Winning Children’s choir. 

Other Work Experience and Selected Performances:

Princess Cruises (July 2013 – September 2014): Member of the Princess Orchestra. Drummer for main show lounge; production        shows, guest entertainers (sight reading), specialty acts, big band dance sets, and jazz trios.

Academy Center Stage (June 2013 & 2015): Featured Guest Artist performing with The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps (2015), Accompanied The Boston Brass (2013).

Bad Cactus Brass Band (2012 – 2015): Sub drummer in Arizona based Brass Band. Performed in flight from Phoenix to Las Vegas in honor of Southwest Airlines 41st birthday celebration.

Big Red Thunder (2007 – 2012): Snare and Tenor Drummer for the Arizona Cardinals drumline. Performed at all home football games and major events.

Arizona Heritage Dinner (2010): Performed for Joe Biden with the Arizona State University Jazz All-Stars

Dance Accompanist (2010): Arizona State University Modern Dance Classes

PHX Percussion (2007 – 2009): Marching snare drummer in the Phoenix Suns drumline. Performed at Suns home games, charities, fundraisers, press events, and the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend

The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps (2005 – 2007): Snare drummer in Phoenix based drum corps. Division II Champions in 2006.  

Premieres:

Dreaming of the Masters III, Brass Band Version (Dec 2010): Composer: Allan Gilliland. Conductor: Patrick Sheridan. Salt River Brass Ensemble featuring Trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann (drums) 

Teaching and Clinician Experience:

Arizona State University Marching Band (Fall 2011): Tenor Instructor
Dobson High School (2007 – 2011): Drumline Coordinator
Basha High School (Fall 2011): Front Ensemble Instructor, 2011 WBA 3A Champions
Arizona State University Latin Jazz Camp (2010): Faculty Associate
Guest Marching Percussion Clinician: High Schools include - Maryvale HS, Thunderbird HS, Basha HS, Corona HS, Chandler HS.

Affiliations: 

American Federation of Musicians, Local 802; New York, NY (2016 - Present)

Education: 

New York University (2015) Broadway Percussion Seminar,
Arizona State University (2006 - December 2010): Bachelor of Arts, Percussion Performance: GPA – 3.89 Studied Under - JB Smith, Mark Sunkett, Dom Moio, Bill Sallak, Josh Gottry