top of page
Iawasca trip Mexico picture.JPG

Past Lives

Matt has been involved in many musical projects/bands through the years. Here's a list of the most important ones, some of which he still works with on occasion, namely Combo Sabroso, Mix Up Mix Up and Groundation.

Groundation

Listen to the ONE ROCK album

Listen to the DUB ROCK album

One of the highlights of Matt's career so far, was the opportunity to work with the renowned reggae-jazz fusion band GROUNDATION. Back in 2018, band leader Harrison Stafford called Matt in need of a keyboard player for a European tour. Matt jumped on the opportunity and continued close association with the group through 2022 having completed many tours in Europe, Brazil the West Coast (USA) and Hawaii. Matt was a full collaborator on the band's 10 album "One Rock" released May 2022. He contributed horn arrangements, keyboard parts and notably string quartet parts for two of the songs on the album (Human Race and Greed). Along with this and the song Absolutely Clear that Matt co-wrote with Harrison represent Matt's vision for the development of the roots reggae idiom. In 2024 a dub version of the One Rock album was released featuring the wizardry of engineer Jim Fox.

Combo Sabroso

("Tasty" Combo)

This is Matt's long-time party band presenting LATIN and REGGAE dance music, committed to the hard hitting ’salsa dura’ sound of the 1970’s playing hits from the likes of Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Oscar D’leon, Sonora Poncena and also known for their inspired salsa arrangements of American R&B hits from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Santana. The group will then turn on a dime and hit you with reggae versions of massive pop hits by artists such as Elton John, Steve Miller, the Police. This combination of Salsa and Reggae is quite infectious and you will find yourself never wanting to leave the dance floor!

 

The group was formed during the summer of 1998 when Matt, then living in Portsmouth, NH, made a decision to pursue a much deeper understanding of Afro-Cuban music. He assembled an amazing cadre of Latino musicians, most notably singer/percussionist Manolo Mairena who with Matt, forms the core of the group, landed a weekly gig and thus began a life-long love affair. Later, Matt saw no reason to separate Latin styles from his other musical love, reggae, and the rest is history, the group having played countless local venues, festivals, weddings and private parties. Unfortunately no recording of the group was ever produced.

Liquid Revolution

Listen to the DRAGONFLY TAXI album

This is Matt's all original reggae project. It was fairly short lived, with only a handful of live performances taking place after the release of the Dragonfly Taxi recording, 1/1/2013. Matt wrote and arranged all of the music and sings lead vocals.

 

Here is the description as it appeared at the time of release.

The album is built on a foundation of rock-solid-reggae-GROOVE with tight vocal harmonies and inspired blues-rock soloing.  Joining Reggae’s long mission of revolutionary consciousness-raising, the Liquid Revolution band expresses the cry of alternative global thinking in this era of climate change and extreme economic injustice. The album includes poignant political satire ads wedged in between many of the songs. Not only do Matt’s poetically insightful songs strike at the heart of these issues, but his tunes about joyful expressions of love, spirituality and the lessons to be learned from simple stories of every day life, all offer a vision for a bright future.

Mix Up Mix Up

Mix Up Mix Up lights up the connection between roots-reggae and soul-jazz. The group is still performing occasionally at venues in eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire (USA).

 

The group presents original compositions and creative re-workings of pop, jazz and reggae anthems by Bob Marley, Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk, Marvin Gaye, George Gershwin, Chopin and more.  The pure joy communicated between band members combined with their love of and deep experience with these styles results in a unique stylistic mash-up that immediately delights audiences of all ages. Imagine the creative interplay between musicians along with soul-jazz improvisation embedded in the intoxicating riddims of Jamaican reggae in an acoustic/electric jazz setting! It's sophisticated and soulful, with both instrumental and vocal repertoire, that gives nourishment to the mind, body and soul. Unfortunately this band never released a recording however Matt was contracted to produce an album for trumpeter/band leader Kelly B and we recorded one of Matt's Mix Up Mix Up originals called "Half Chop." Check it on the video here.

Rebel Tumbao

Listen to the REBEL TUMBAO album

This is a passion project in which Matt teamed up with Latin percussionist/timbalero Jose Claussell who works extensively with maestro Eddie Palmieri.  They released a self titled recording in March, 2014.

 

Here is the project/album description at the time of release:

This funky-fresh-earthly sound is the uncompromising fusion of two of music’s most celebrated genres; Roots Reggae and contemporary Cuban Son - with deep influences of 70’s Soul, gospel, the blues, jazz and African folkloric idioms. Half of the album consists of incredible Afro-Cuban arrangements of some of Bob Marley's best known songs, arranged by Matt Jenson. The other 1/2 are Matt's original compositions in this new style called "Afro-Latin-Roots-Reggae."

Groundation videos

Groundation videos

Watch Now
Combo Sabroso videos

Combo Sabroso videos

Watch Now
Liquid Revolution video

Liquid Revolution video

Watch Now
Mix Up Mix Up video

Mix Up Mix Up video

Watch Now
Rebel Tumbao videos

Rebel Tumbao videos

Watch Now
bottom of page