Matt Ulery
By Jamie Sokolik, DePaul Magazine: Summer 2015
By the time bassist, composer and bandleader Matt Ulery (MM ’13) enrolled at the School of Music, he’d already released several jazz albums, performed with dozens of groups, written at least as many songs, and toured the U.S. and parts of Europe. Yet, he was determined to get his master’s degree.
“I wanted to expand professionally and creatively,” Ulery says. “I thought going back to school was the best way to do that and to gain access to professionals who could offer a new perspective. I broadened my knowledge of music in general, which I think has helped my work.”
The word “busy” doesn’t do justice to Ulery’s schedule since graduation. He’s collaborating with musicians around Chicago and teaching college-level composition and bass. In 2014, he released “In the Ivory,” his sixth album and second double CD, with 14 pieces of original music, much of which he plays with his 13-piece chamber jazz ensemble.
Touring Musician (Bassist/Composer/
Bandleader)
MM Music 2013
“It was definitely my most ambitious project to date,” he says. “I learned a lot from it. I feel like my composition skills are better since I graduated from DePaul. I’m really proud of it.”
“I wanted to expand professionally and creatively. I thought going back to school was the best way to do that and to gain access to professionals who could offer a new perspective. I broadened my knowledge of music in general, which I think has helped my work.”
Ulery went on tour for the album in the fall, and in June he performed to a packed crowd of hometown fans at Millennium Park.
“It means a lot to have support in Chicago,” Ulery says. “It’s where I’ve always lived. I do get to cities with cool music scenes, but I’m based here. I love the people I play with, I love contributing to this music community. It’s just a great city.”
