Matt Davis’ Aerial Photograph

Established in 2002, Matt Davis’ Aerial Photograph is a “wildly imaginative” (Jazziz Magazine") ensemble that explores the intersection of jazz, contemporary classical and folk music, as well as social, cultural and historical observation through aural histories. Described as “Inspired” by Downbeat Magazine and “Eloquent” by JazzTimes, the group has performed throughout the eastern United States, as well as in China and South Korea. The instrumentation of the group varies, but often consists of a string quartet, guitar, bass, drums and several wind instruments.

Aerial Photograph’s original repertoire is inspired by the cultural pluralism that is fundamental to American society. The compositional process begins with communication: Davis conducts conversations with communities that include senior citizens, recovering addicts, children, immigrants, religious believers, community volunteers, incarcerated, the unhoused, teachers, caregivers, and artists and musicians. These conversations are recorded and are then woven into compositions that endeavor to express the feelings, emotions, and stories that are shared. The resulting music gives audiences the opportunity to find points of connection to the music, and to experience familiar or unfamiliar communities in a new and engaging way.

This compositional process was undertaken in year-long efforts in both Philadelphia (2008) and NYC (2013). In 2017, and with funding from Chamber Music America and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Matt continued this process with the suite “Welcome Home”: music inspired by the experiences of immigrants in the diverse Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.

The ensemble has presented this music at community oriented venues such as The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Lennox Hill House, NYC Parks, as well as various art galleries, community centers, and jazz clubs.

Since recording their debut CD in 2003, Davis has released three additional full-length CDs with Aerial Photograph to critical acclaim: Before the Stars Burn Out (2005), The Complete City of Philadelphia, 2008 (2008), Ways and Means (2009), The Complete City of New York, 2013 (2014), and Big Family (2019). The next set of compositions, titled The Sway of Rivers is in the process of recording, and is slated for release in 2023. This new music brings several new elements to the mix, including home-made percussion instruments, vocals, and new approaches of expressing forms and time in music. Stay Tuned.

The Love Lot/Hello Sunshine

Commissioned by Orchestra2001 in Philadelphia, this is a new work for guitar, violin, tenor sax and percussion. Matt was asked to write music inspired by Kensington's "Love Lot", a community centered space providing daily free meals and services to Philadelphia residents faced with food insecurity, the challenges of COVID-19, and the ongoing opioid epidemic. His new work, inspired by the "Hello Sunshine" mural, was part of Orchestra2001’s new series: IN THE KEY OF L: Music Along SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line. More performances and a recording of the piece are being scheduled now for next season.

Code switching: The Music of Francis Johnson

Brent White, trombonist, teacher and composer, asked Matt to collaborate as arranger and performer on a project aimed at re-imagining the music of Francis Johnson (1793-1844). Johnson is a truly fascinating musical figure: the first African American composer to be published in the US (and 200 published works at that), an abolitionist, performer, bandleader, composer, and so many more notable accomplishments. He played for Queen Victoria in 1838 and for every ball and cotillion for the elites of Philadelphia in his time. After his death he was all but forgotten until the 1960s. "Code Switching" explores Johnson’s music in a contemporary context and explores the ways in which Johnson may have presented his work differently to different audiences.