[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 156 (Friday, September 10, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF MATTHEW J. McCARTHY

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                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 10, 2021

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding life and 
legacy of Matthew J. McCarthy, age 35, who passed away far too soon on 
Friday, August 13, 2021. A talented and respected trumpet player, 
composer, arranger, and educator, Matt touched the lives of countless 
individuals and left a lasting impression on the central Florida music 
community.
  Matt was a professional trumpet player, specializing in modern and 
improvised music. He had experience playing all styles of music, 
including jazz, big band, orchestral, chamber music, rock, ska, pop, 
commercial, salsa, and more. He worked with musicians and performance 
groups that included the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Sam Rivers RivBea 
Orchestra, Cirque Du Soleil's La Nouba, Junkierush, the Outer Toons, 
the Supervillans, Mad Sexual Genius, the Orlando Jazz Orchestra, the 
Harry James Orchestra, various bands of Walt Disney World, Universal 
Studios, the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra, and countless other local 
groups and celebrities. Matt also spent a lot of time performing with 
the one and only Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, playing lead trumpet. It was 
with this group, he toured all over the United States, Canada, 
Australia, New Zealand, and on countless international cruises.
  A prolific composer and arranger, specializing in custom arrangements 
and charts, Matt had experience in transcription, copywork, and 
orchestration for groups of all sizes. His library included hundreds of 
arrangements for jazz chamber groups, big bands, large orchestras, 
latin ensembles, and original compositions for a variety of groups. 
Frequently premiering new works, his arrangements became highly sought 
after, especially for competitive marching bands.
  Matt began his career in music at the University of Central Florida, 
where he studied trumpet, composition, and jazz studies, graduating 
with a dual-specialty Bachelor of Music degree in 2007. During that 
time, he began working as a freelance trumpet player and arranger. This 
eventually led to a long career with the bands of Walt Disney World. 
Additionally, Matt started subbing in the trumpet section for the Sam 
Rivers RivBea Orchestra, which began a life-long interest in 
experimental and avant-garde music.
  Matt furthered his musical career in 2013 by attending graduate 
school at the University of South Florida, where he graduated with a 
Master of Music in jazz composition in 2015. There he studied with 
Chuck Owen and Jack Wilkins. During his tenure at USF, Matt performed 
as lead trumpet player for Jazz Ensemble I, served as director of Jazz 
Ensemble II, and taught various courses in the Jazz Studies Department. 
Matt frequently appeared with the USF Jazz Faculty Ensemble and toured 
Italy with the USF Jazztet in the summer of 2015, performing at the 
Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy. While studying composition, 
Matt was awarded the Owen Prize for Jazz Composition for his tune. 
``Hans the Hunter.''
  Matt McCarthy leaves behind a legacy of kindness, imagination, and 
musical excellence. Matt's positive and creative outlook on life 
touched the lives of so many and made our community a better place. I 
am saddened by the loss of such a valuable member of the community and 
extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

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