Michael Matison and The Kats

Michael Matison and the Kats
Michael Matison & The Kats bring high energy blues and soul with tight grooves and strong vocals. Michael Matison brings a smooth blend of blues, soul, and Americana to the stage with a voice that is both gritty and refined. Raised in San Diego, California, and having spent most of his adult life in New Mexico, Matison draws from a wide range of musical and life influences that shape his soulful, authentic sound. From his parents’ vinyl records to the Chicano sounds of Southern California, to discovering the blues later in life, his musical path has been shaped by culture, experience, and emotion. His performances are deeply connected to the audience and rooted in storytelling, honesty, and feeling. What started as sitting in on a few local performances with some of Albuquerque’s prominent vocalists quickly evolved into a growing presence throughout the New Mexico music scene.
Backing Matison is a seasoned band featuring Larry Freedman on keys, Lloyd Wood on guitar, Steve Whitman on bass, and Melvin Crisp on drums. Together, they create a rich groove-driven sound built on chemistry, musicianship, and experience. From smoky blues and soulful ballads to jazz-influenced interpretations, the group delivers polished performances that are engaging, emotional, and memorable. As part of a new generation of local performers helping carry the tradition forward, Michael Matison continues to establish himself as an emerging bluesman and vocalist in the New Mexico scene.