BIOGRAPHY

Matt MacKellar is one of the brightest young drumming prospects to emerge from the North East of England. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1998, he was raised in a church where music was central to life, and began formal training on drums at the age of six, encouraged by family and community mentors.

From an early age, Matt was drawn to rhythm, exploring complex styles ranging from gospel to funk and rock fusion, with early influences including Jamiroquai and Steely Dan. A life-changing trip to New York City introduced him to jazz, inspiring a shift toward improvisational music and deepening his study of drum icons such as Art Blakey and Max Roach.

Matt’s dedication led him to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where he studied under John Ramsey, Ralph Peterson, and James Murphy. Beyond academia, Matt has gained significant professional acclaim, performing internationally at festivals including Durham Jazz Festival (supporting Moses Boyd), Newcastle Jazz Festival, and Berklee’s Commencement Concert at the 7,000-seat Agganis Arena alongside Lalah Hathaway, Chuck Rainey, and James Newton Howard.

His versatility has also seen him tour with Paul Edis and Jo Harrop in the UK, performing at esteemed venues such as The Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead), and feature on recordings for artists like Anish Kumar, with tracks reaching over 700,000 streams and receiving repeated airplay on BBC Radio 1. Recognized as a finalist in the prestigious Yamaha Futurebeat competition, Matt has earned praise from industry leaders and publications including MusicRadar, Bebop Spoken Here, and UK Jazz News for his exceptional technique, artistry, and professional acumen.

Blending his roots in gospel, groove, and jazz improvisation with a keen contemporary sensibility, Matt MacKellar is a drummer, producer, and arranger whose career spans national and international acclaim. With a trajectory defined by skill, creativity, and dedication, he continues to make his mark on the global music industry, turning a lifelong passion into a distinguished professional journey.