Matt Tolentino

Matt Tolentino
Musician and bandleader Matt Tolentino photographed by Adam Zaner in Dallas, Texas on October 15, 2013.
Background information
Birth name Matthew Anthony Tolentino
Born May 10, 1985
Dallas, Texas
Genres Pre-swing, Jazz, Dance
Occupation(s) Musician, Multiinstrumentalist, Singer, Bandleader
Years active 2007–present
Labels Jazzador Records
Associated acts The Singapore Slingers, The Royal Klobasneks, The Matt Tolentino Band
Website matttolentino.com

Matt Tolentino (born May 10, 1985) is a Dallas, Texas musician and bandleader specializing in the live performance and preservation of pre-swing music, with a focus on American popular songs from 1920 to 1935. Tolentino sings and plays music from "between the World Wars" regularly at numerous Dallas venues as a solo (accordion) act, as leader of a four-piece ensemble called The Matt Tolentino Band, as leader of a seven-piece polka band called The Royal Klobasneks, and most notably as leader of a full eighteen-piece orchestra called The Singapore Slingers, which has been named the "Best Pre-Swing Jazz Orchestra" and the "coolest, quirkiest, retro jazz group" in Dallas.[1]

Tolentino's fascination with jazz-age music began at age 8, when a neighbor gave him a cassette tape recording of the Coffee Club Orchestra (as featured on radio's A Prairie Home Companion).[2] By age 16, his devotion to music was such that he asked his parents to help him buy a used accordion instead of a used car.[3] He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 2003.[4] A musical autodidact, Tolentino sings lead vocals and plays many instruments, including clarinet, tuba, bass saxophone, ukulele, banjo, piano, and accordion.[5]

Recognition

In early 2014, Tolentino was profiled in connection with his brainchild annual Jazz Age Sunday Social concert event at Dallas Heritage Village.[6] A photo spread of his home and its period decor was also featured.[7]

In late 2014, Tolentino was recognized by the Dallas Observer as number 42 among the 100 most creative people in Dallas.[8]

Discography

References

  1. ↑ http://www.dallasobserver.com/bestof/2011/award/best-pre-swing-jazz-orchestra-2400483
  2. ↑ http://www.modernluxury.com/modern-luxury-dallas/articles/the-swing
  3. ↑ Jon Nielsen (January 10, 2011). "Band is so last century, and leader's fine with it". Dallas Morning News.
  4. ↑ Christina Babb (January 1, 2010). "The Singapore Slingers". Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate.
  5. ↑ Christina Babb (January 1, 2010). "The Singapore Slingers". Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate.
  6. ↑ Lauren Smart (March 13, 2014). "Glimpse into Matt Tolentino's Jazz Age Life at the Sunday Social March 30". Dallas Observer.
  7. ↑ Catherine Downes (March 17, 2014). "Matt Tolentino's 1920s House". Dallas Observer.
  8. ↑ Caroline North (November 17, 2014). "100 Dallas Creatives: No. 42 Anachronistic Musician Matt Tolentino". Dallas Observer.

External links