An Interview With Pop Crooner, MATT FORBES on His Forthcoming Debut Album “Coulda Woulda Shoulda” and More!

The Canadian pop crooner MATT FORBES, will be releasing his debut full length album titled “COULDA WOULDA SHOULDA” on October 9th.  Bringing a unique brand of contemporary cool to familiar pop hits with his unique “vintage pop” sound, Matt recorded the album at the historic Capitol Records’ “Studio A” in Hollywood, California.

The forthcoming album features original arrangements of such hits as “Beyond The Sea,” “I Get A Kick Out of You,” “The Good Life,” “Somethin’ Stupid” and “Witchcraft” — while reimagining more obscure gems like “Gloomy Sunday,” “Artificial Flowers,” “Once Upon a Time” and “Some of These Days.” 

Check out Matt Forbes — ‘Gloomy Sunday’ (Capitol Studios):

Arranged by acclaimed London-based composer/arranger Callum Au, whose recent work includes the BBC Big Band and Grammy® nominee Jamie Cullum, Matt also enlisted the industry’s top session musicians, some of who also perform in composer Ron Jones’ (Family Guy,” “American Dad”) “Influence Jazz Orchestra.” The lineup of legendary players includes:  Gene “Cip” Cipriano on sax, flute, clarinet (Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Judy Garland , Ray Charles);  Carl Saunders on trumpet and flugelhorn (Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman);  Steve Hughes on trombone (John Legend, Tom Petty, Natalie Cole);   Alan Steinberger on piano (Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, Pasadena Pops), Ken Wild on bass (Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones), Jake Reed on drums (Bill Holman, Bob Mintzer,)  John Chiodini on guitar (Michael Buble, Barbra Streisand, Michael Feinstein) and Doug Webb, sax, flute, piccolo and clarinet (Stanley Clarke, Rod Stewart, Queen Latifah, Clint Eastwood).

Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Matt made Los Angeles his home in 2011, where Matt and his Big Little Band, aka “The Horn-y Sextet,” regularly headline L.A.’s top jazz venues, including Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill, Jazz, Etc. and Catalina Jazz Club.  Matt also regularly fronts the Influence Jazz Orchestra as their featured vocalist — with whom he had the pleasure of opening for the group’s original featured vocalist, Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy,” “Ted”).

Matt laid a powerful foundation for COULDA WOULDA SHOULDA with his recent 2014 debut EP, the holiday themed THE TWELVE MINUTES OF CHRISTMAS. The four track set received widespread critical acclaim and airplay across the U.S., Canada and the UK, where it was featured prominently on programs for CBS Radio, CBC Radio and BBC Radio 2. Matt was a featured guest on many local and nationally syndicated radio shows and was profiled on Atlantic Canada’s “CTV Morning Live.”

All Access recently sat down with Matt Forbes to discuss his forthcoming album, his biggest musical inspirations and much more! Enjoy!