An Interview with Phil Mattson
From Brainerd, Minnesota, Phil Mattson is a name, I believe, familiar to all of us. As a major pioneer in the world of jazz and especially vocal jazz, Phil’s musicianship, dedication, and comprehensive knowledge of the craft is beyond just about anyone of his generation. Anyone can look up information about Phil, but here are some things you might not know. We all know where he’s been and taught, but we don’t know his “story.” Here is a bit of how Phil Mattson developed—as a person, as a teacher, and as a pioneer in our field.
When Phil finished his graduate studies at The University of Iowa, he had no job. At the time, a friend of his interviewed at Foothill College in California, but in the end recommended Phil for the position, which opened at the end of August. With no teaching experience, Phil Mattson was hired at Foothill as Director of Choral Activities, a stint that lasted six years.
After Foothill, Phil took a more distinctive position at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, but left after one year. He decided that there had to be a better way for jazz singers to be as musically confident as jazz instrumentalists, and the Phil Mattson School (for singers and conductors) was born. Founding the school was made possible as a result of Phil’s involvement in a nearly fatal motorcycle crash. With the financial settlement, he started the Phil Mattson School, with eleven students the first semester and eventually 30-40 per semester within three years. At the school, Phil, his wife, and others taught piano. Phil directed the choirs, jazz choirs, and theory classes. Phil’s goal was for singers to learn how to improvise similarly to instrumentalists. Soon, Michelle Weir joined the faculty. According to Phil, “Michi was key to the success of that school. She was so thoroughly skilled, no bull, a straight shooter, but nice. No beating around the bush with her.” While Phil learned a lot during the school’s three-year existence, ultimately it ran out of money, and students couldn’t get student loans due to the lack of NASM accreditation. The school was accredited by year three, but by then it was too late and the school closed.
Over the course of time, Phil had met a trombone player who was also the band director at Southwest Community College (SWCC) in Creston, Iowa. The SWCC choir director resigned at the last minute in August and Mattson received a call, asking, “Will you come to teach at Creston?” Phil was at SWCC for eighteen years, creating a phenomenal program of which every jazz singer is aware.
When Phil left SWCC, he decided to retire to Minneapolis/St. Paul. He had many friends in the Twin Cities and thought it would be nice to move there. Phil continues to accompany singers in the Cities, and he is grateful for all the friendships and acquaintances he has there.
When asked about his favorite venue to perform in the Cities, Mattson immediately said, “Jazz Central. The Dakota is fine, too.” But Phil likes the temperament, i.e., the acoustics and laid back setting at Jazz Central; he loves the atmosphere, environment, piano, and the set up.
Recently, Phil’s health has taken a turn for the worse. Thankfully, he is recovering nicely from a near fatal illness.
Anyone who would like to contact Phil can do so through his website, PhilMattson.com. He is also on Facebook. He welcomes your positive communication. After next week, Phil will be moving to California to be near one of his sons, where he will continue to recuperate. We all know that our work as jazz educators would not be what it is without Phil Mattson’s fantastic life’s work. Let’s wish him good health, a great recovery, and many more years of remarkable jazz.
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