Biography
Matthew Bourne was born on October 6th, 1977 in the Red Lion Pub, Avebury, Wiltshire and by the age of 9 had taken up the Trombone, moved house four times and wound up living in a small village situated amongst the Cotswold Hills. In 1989, Bourne attended Kingham Hill School – situated miles from anywhere amongst more beautiful Cotswold surroundings and began playing ‘Cello in the following year. After seeing Frank Sinatra play on television in 1993, Bourne began to teach himself the piano. The rapid progress on ‘Cello and Piano lead to the elbowing-out of the Trombone altogether. It was however Brass teacher, Garry Page that imparted some important insights into harmony and space that helped shape Bourne’s approach. These insights together with the masterful teachings of ’Cello tutor and lifelong mentor George Sidebottom, provided Bourne with a musical appreciation beyond his years.
Bourne began to tackle the language of Jazz in 1995. In the course of the following years at Leeds College of Music, Bourne began to distance himself from his contemporaries focus on more traditional approaches, and explored instead the world of contemporary classical composition and the avant-garde.
Throughout his last year at college Bourne received guidance from Jonty Stockdale, who managed to convince him that he wasn’t crazy, and that it was ok to scream and play the Piano with his feet if he wanted to. It was this approach that was exhibited at the Perrier Young Jazz Awards, 2001. He then attracted the attention of Serious International Music Producers - who subsequently exposed Bourne's surreal and unique solo piano concerts to promoters and audiences on an international scale.
During this period Bourne also worked as a cleaner, night porter, driver’s mate, fruit picker and farm labourer whilst being continually mistaken for the choreographer of the same name.
The frequency and exposure of Bourne's solo work was closely observed by various creative organisations and has formed close working relationships with Luxton Cultural Associates, The British Council, The PRSF Foundation, CMN and the IJFO. Bourne has been commissioned to perform & produce music for FuseLeeds, Michael Tippett Foundation, London Jazz Festival, The Italian Instabile Orchestra, BBC Radio 3, Jazz on 3, Conservatoires UK, Faber Music and Pianist Joanna MacGregor.
Currently, Bourne is Artist in Residence at Leeds College of Music where he lectures in Composition and Piano and continues to perform internationally as a solo artist and in collaboration with others.
Awards
Perrier Young Jazz Award, Musician Category, 2001
BBC Radio Jazz Awards, Innovation Award, 2002
International Jazz Festivals Organization (IJFO) International Jazz Award, 2005
Braaid Eisteddfod, Overseas Award, Instrumental Competition, 2007
International Visual Communications Association (IVCA) Bronze Award for Music (shared with Dan Berridge), 2007
Influences
Scott Walker
Meshuggah
Annette Peacock