Matthew Dorko ~ Jazz Guitar

Matthew Dorko is a guitarist, composer, and bandleader based in New England with roots in New Orleans. He has a singable and rhythmic style influenced heavily by the post bop greats as well as the flamboyant and interactive creativity he found in the clubs and on the streets of New Orleans .

As a teenager, Matthew had the good fortune to study with jazz educator Ellis Marsalis at the New Orleans Center For The Creative Arts (NOCCA). He later attended the Jazz Studies program at UNO where he was able to again work with Marsalis as well as study with the brilliant guitarist Steve Masakowski who was instrumental in helping Dorko solidify his playing style.

College was a pivotal time for Matthew. He developed a tendon problem and had to suspend his studies. Outside of school, he worked with classical guitar maestro Patrick Kerber to completely relearn his technical approach to the guitar. In addition to speeding his recovery, This time with Patrick led Dorko to permanently adopt the Nylon string (classical) guitar as his primary instrument- part of his signature sound.