From our good friend Jon Liebman at forbassplayersonly.com - probably the most ubiquitous bass interviewers on the planet, here's a great look at the life and influences of a hard-working, full-time bassist. Enjoy! By David Sands
Matt Hayes rocks the bass for Mr. Entertainment himself, Wayne Newton. The busy bassist also holds down the low notes for folk rocker Eric Himan and the jazz group 7blue and maintains a busy freelance schedule in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. A musician, composer, arranger, musical director and instructor, Hayes studied music at the New School in NYC and has been playing music professionally since the age of 16. Beyond his work with Newton and Himan, he’s also played with the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and the Henry James Orchestra and is a co-founder of Kinnara Records.
FBPO’s Jon Liebman met up with Hayes at the 2018 NAMM show in Anaheim, California for a lively conversation which covered what it’s like to work with Wayne, doing Tae Bo in an orchestra pit and what it means to be the “James Bond of bass."
Matt Hayes and Jon Liebman at NAMM 2018