Matt Matson

Matt Matson 

Disneyland Musician/Educator/Author/Freelance Musician

Matt earned his Bachelors and Masters degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California, and went on to become (and is still currently) a full time musician at the Disneyland Resort. Some of the groups you may have seen him performing with over the last 30 years (on drums or in some instances banjo) include the Jambalaya Jazz Band, the River Rascals, the Green Army Men, the Trash Can Trio, the Straw Hatters, The Pearly Band, the Hook and Ladder band, the Magic Kingdom Korps, and the Disneyland Band.  

Matt has also kept busy outside of his Disneyland "day job" as an educator, clinician and a freelance musician. He has been a percussion instructor for Hemet High School, Northview HS, Riverside King HS, Walnut HS, Chino Hills HS, Azuza Pacific University, and the University of Southern California.  During this same time period he has published two books: Melodic Stick Control in 2018, and then Fixed Stick Control in 2025. When not teaching, writing, or performing at the happiest place on earth, he also keeps busy performing with local artists, composers and bands, including Tom Kubis, Michael Kamen, the Side Street Strutters, Swingtown, and the Swing Cats.