Matthew Skoller

Matthew Skoller (born August 3, 1962) is an American Chicago blues harmonicist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has released five albums, as well as recording his harmonica playing on other musicians work, including John Primer, Lurrie Bell, Koko Taylor, H-Bomb Ferguson, Toronzo Cannon, Bernard Allison, Larry Garner, Big Daddy Kinsey, Big Time Sarah, Michael Coleman, and Harvey Mandel. On stage, he has supplied part of the backing to Big Time Sarah, Jimmy Rogers, and Deitra Farr. His band members have included guitarists such as Lurrie Bell and Larry Skoller, pianist and organist Sidney James Wingfield, bass player Willie "Vamp" Samuels, and the drummers Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith and Heitor Garcia.

Biography Career He was born in Canton, New York, United States. Elsewhere, Skoller provided harmonica work on Knockin' at Your Door, by John Primer (1999), and on Koko Taylor's 2000 release, Royal Blue. It was released in 2003.

In 2007, Skoller moved into record production work for others, helming Lurrie Bell's, Let's Talk About Love. Skoller was again the producer of Bell's next release, The Devil Ain't Got No Music (2012). which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. The same year, Skoller released his latest album, Blues Immigrant. Although resident in Chicago for nearly 30 years, he felt the album's title was appropriate. Musicians playing on the recording included the pianist, Johnny Iguana, and guitarists, Carlos Johnson and Eddie Taylor Jr. It was produced by Vincent Bucher and Skoller,

In 2020, Skoller contributed to Johnny Iguana's debut album, Chicago Spectacular!

Other work He composed the music for August Wilson's 1995 Tony Award nominated play, Seven Guitars. Skoller has recorded a number of jingles, primarily for use in television advertisements. In 2015, he contributed to the various artists recording of Muddy Waters 100, an album which was Grammy nominated for Best Blues Album.

Skoller is also the US sales director and co-founder of Family Tradition Cognac.

International appearances Over the years he has performed at many venues outside of the United States. Countries in which he has played include Greece, the UK, Belgium, France, Italy, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Mali, Mauritania, Tunisia, and Cameroon.