Matty Matlock

Biography

Julian Clifton "Matty" Matlock (April 27, 1907 – June 14, 1978) was an American Dixieland jazz clarinettist, saxophonist, and arranger born in Paducah, Kentucky. He began playing clarinet at age 12 and made his recording debut in 1928 with Jimmy Joy in Chicago. In October 1929, at just 22 years old, Matlock joined the Ben Pollack Orchestra as a replacement for the legendary Benny Goodman, where he performed clarinet, alto saxophone, and developed his arranging skills by studying under the influence of Fud Livingston. During his five years with Pollack (1929-1934), he formed lifelong friendships with musicians including Eddie Miller, Nappy LaMare, and Gil Rodin.

Matlock's most significant contribution to jazz came through his work with Bob Crosby's orchestra beginning in 1935, where he served as both clarinettist and primary arranger until the band dissolved in 1942. He was instrumental in perfecting the sound of "arranged white Dixieland," earning recognition in The Rough Guide to Jazz as "the most inspired and spontaneous clarinettist in the Dixieland style" alongside Irving Fazola. After relocating to Los Angeles during World War II, Matlock transitioned from touring musician to studio professional, allowing him to remain close to his family while maintaining an active career in Hollywood's booming entertainment industry.

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Matlock worked extensively as a session musician and arranger, collaborating with major artists including Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Judy Garland. He appeared in the 1955 film Pete Kelly's Blues and recorded numerous albums as bandleader, including The Dixieland Story (1958) and recordings with the Kings of Dixieland. Matlock's legacy rests on his dual mastery of clarinet performance and orchestral arrangement, establishing him as a defining figure in Dixieland jazz during the swing era.

Fun Facts

• Matlock replaced the legendary Benny Goodman in the Ben Pollack Orchestra at just 22 years old in 1929, a position he held for five years while developing his arranging skills.
• He appeared in the 1955 film Pete Kelly's Blues, playing clarinet in a scene set in a Kansas City speakeasy in 1927, bridging his jazz career with Hollywood cinema.
• Matlock recorded with Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, and Red Nichols on the tune "Gone Fishin'" on April 27th (his birthday), and continued working on Bing Crosby's radio show throughout the 1940s and 1950s.
• He made five albums as "Matty Matlock and the Paducah Patrol" for Warner Brothers, referencing his birthplace of Paducah, Kentucky, and contributed to hundreds of other recordings throughout his career.

Associated Acts

• Matty Matlock’s All Stars
• John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Fud Livingston - Arranging inspiration and stylistic influence during his time with Ben Pollack (Ben Pollack Orchestra arrangements) [1929-1934]

Key Collaborators

• Bob Crosby - Bandleader; Matlock served as clarinettist and primary arranger for Crosby's orchestra and the Bobcats small group (Bob Crosby Orchestra, Bob Cats recordings) [1935-1942]
• Eddie Miller - Saxophonist and lifelong friend; collaborated extensively in Bob Crosby's band and later Dixieland recordings (Bob Crosby Orchestra, The Dixieland Story (1958)) [1929-1960s]
• Bing Crosby - Vocalist; frequent collaborator on recordings and radio shows (Play a Simple Melody, Moonlight Bay, In the Cool Cool Cool of the Evening, Bing and Satchmo (1960)) [1940s-1960]
• Louis Armstrong - Jazz legend; session collaboration on recordings (Gone Fishin' (1947), Bing and Satchmo (1960)) [1947, 1960]
• Ella Fitzgerald - Vocalist; contributed arrangements and performance to her Irving Berlin songbook (Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book) [1950s]
• Ben Pollack - Bandleader; Matlock replaced Benny Goodman in this orchestra (Ben Pollack Orchestra recordings) [1929-1934]
• Nappy LaMare - Guitarist and lifelong friend; collaborated in Bob Crosby's band (Bob Crosby Orchestra) [1935-1942]
• Gil Rodin - Saxophonist and lifelong friend; collaborated in Bob Crosby's band (Bob Crosby Orchestra) [1935-1942]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz