Matt Combs

strings • solo to ensemble

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27 Reviews (16 Verified)
Matt Combs on SoundBetter

One stop shop for string arrangements and/or fiddle parts. I do all of the arrangement and string recording for Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound recordings including Ceelo Green and Yola. I also arranged and performed strings on Cage The Elephant's Grammy winning "Social Cues". Produced and played fiddle on "The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project."

I arrange and play violin, viola, cello and upright bass. As an arranger I have recently worked with the following producers: Dan Auerbach (Black Keys, Yola, Cello Green), Dave "Fergie" Ferguson (Sturgill Simpson), John Carter Cash (Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn), Jarrad K (Ruston Kelly, Sara Evans, Lucie Silvas), T-Bone Burnett, Ian Fitchuk (Kasey Musgraves), and Don Was. In addition to my string arranging, I have contributed as a violinist to many Nashville string sessions. I also record fiddle, mandolin, old-time banjo, and acoustic guitar. As a former member of the Grand Ole Opry staff band, I am well versed in Bluegrass, Country and Americana music. My fiddle, mandolin and banjo can be heard in the video game Red Dead Redemption and 2010's Grammy nominated album "Memories of John" from the John Hartford String Band of which I was a member. Recently I have contributed to the soundtracks of the hit series "Yellowstone" starring Kevin Costner, "Color Out of Space" starring Nic Cage, National Geographic's "Barkskins", ABC's "Nashville" and Roots starring Forrest Whittaker.

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Matt Combs
  • Aaron Lewis
  • Aaron Lewis
  • Aaron Lewis
  • Birdy
  • Mandy Barnett
  • Aaron Frazer
  • The Velveteers
  • Tony Joe White
  • Yola
  • Kacey Musgraves
  • Kacey Musgraves
  • Kacey Musgraves
  • Loretta Lynn
  • Little Big Town
  • Shannon & the Clams
  • Birdy
  • Birdy
  • CeeLo Green
  • Colin Stetson
  • Colin Stetson
  • Colin Stetson
  • Colin Stetson
  • Sara Evans
  • Marcus King
  • Matt Wilson
  • Matt Wilson Quartet
  • Matt Wilson
  • Matt Wilson Quartet
  • Lennon Stella
  • Maisy Stella
  • Nashville Cast
  • Lennon Stella
  • Maisy Stella
  • Nashville Cast
  • Lennon Stella
  • Nashville Cast
  • Lennon Stella
  • Nashville Cast
  • Little Big Town
  • Early James
  • John Anderson
  • Cage the Elephant
  • Cage the Elephant
  • Cage the Elephant
  • Kendell Marvel
  • Dee White
  • Yola
  • Yola
  • Shannon Shaw
  • The Gibson Brothers
  • Shannon Shaw
  • Jake Bugg
  • Jake Bugg
  • Jake Bugg
  • Lo Carmen
  • Lo Carmen
  • Bobby Osborne
  • The Eisenhauers
  • The Eisenhauers
  • Dan Auerbach
  • Zucchero
  • The Special Consensus
  • The Special Consensus
  • Loretta Lynn
  • Loretta Lynn
  • Leaf Rapids
  • Brandon Heath
  • Nashville Cast
  • Nashville Cast
  • Nashville Cast
  • Kevin Costner
  • Kevin Costner & Modern West
  • Kevin Costner
  • Kevin Costner & Modern West
  • Kevin Costner
  • Kevin Costner & Modern West
  • Kevin Costner
  • Kevin Costner & Modern West
  • Elizabeth Cook
  • Slugs & Bugs
  • Slugs & Bugs
  • Hush
  • Kevin Costner
  • Kevin Costner & Modern West
  • Kevin Costner
  • Kevin Costner & Modern West
  • Dale Ann Bradley
  • John Ford Coley
  • Kevin Costner
  • Kevin Costner & Modern West
  • Kevin Costner
  • Kevin Costner & Modern West
  • The John Hartford Stringband
  • The John Hartford Stringband
  • The John Hartford Stringband
  • Elizabeth Cook
  • Elizabeth Cook
  • Elizabeth Cook
  • Elizabeth Cook
  • Diana Jones
  • Andrew Duhon
  • Andrew Duhon
  • Stuart Rosh
  • Elizabeth Cook
  • Elizabeth Cook
  • Shelby Merchant
  • Donna Beasley
  • Pickin' On
  • Pickin' On
  • Joe Croker
  • Joe Croker
  • Matt Combs
  • Matt Combs
  • Matt Combs
  • Matt Combs
  • Matt Combs
  • Matt Combs
  • Matt Combs
  • K.C. Groves
  • Jim Roll
  • Brian Lillie & The Squirrel Mountain Orchestra
  • Birdy
  • Birdy
  • Birdy
  • Aaron Lewis
  • Aaron Lewis
  • Aaron Lewis
  • Kevin Costner & Modern West
  • Kevin Costner & Modern West
  • Amigo the Devil
  • Amigo the Devil
  • Amigo the Devil
  • Dan Auerbach
  • The Gibson Brothers
  • CeeLo Green
  • Birdy
  • The Gibson Brothers
  • Aaron Lewis
  • Aaron Lewis
  • Aaron Lewis
  • Yola
  • Birdy
  • Mandy Barnett
  • Kendell Marvel
  • Early James
  • Stephen Sanchez
  • The Gibson Brothers
  • Steve Young
  • Melissa DuPuy
  • Marty Young
  • Melissa Du Puy
  • Zella Day
  • Zella Day
  • Zella Day
  • Garry West
  • Gao Hong
  • Matt Combs
  • Yair Dalal
  • George Kahumoku Jr.
  • Alison Brown
  • Gao Hong & Friends
  • Garry West
  • Gao Hong
  • Matt Combs
  • Yair Dalal
  • George Kahumoku Jr.
  • Alison Brown
  • Gao Hong & Friends
  • Aaron Lewis
  • Aaron Lewis
  • Aaron Lewis
  • Yola
  • Pieternel
  • Pieternel
  • Birdy
  • Yola
  • Thom Moore
  • Thom Moore
  • Thom Moore
  • Thom Moore
  • Hezekiah Goode
  • Donna Beasley
  • Birdy
  • Birdy
  • Birdy
  • Moonshine Falls
  • Stephen Sanchez
  • Zella Day
  • John Anderson
  • Mandy Barnett

27 Reviews - 3 Repeat Clients

Endorse Matt Combs
  1. Review by PT E.
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    by PT E.
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    Matt does awesome work!

  2. Review by PT E.
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    by PT E.
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    Matt was a pleasure to work with and provided some amazing fiddle tracks. Awesome!

  3. Review by Kwun
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    by Kwun
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    Matt was a real pleasure to work with. Beautifully played and recorded strings. Matt provides a very professional service, very fast turnaround, great communication, straightforward and very easy to work with. I would highly recommend Matt and look forward to working with him again. Thanks Matt!

  4. Review by Brandon S.
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    Matt is great to work with and delivered the string ensemble part as requested.

  5. Review by Richard B.
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    Matt brings it all the time! I've been working with Matt off and on for a number of months. He's my go to for fiddle, bass, banjo - but can provide a lot more. Never disappointed and easy to work with. Superb results over and over... nice job as always!

  6. Review by Richard B.
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    This is the third piece I requested Matt's amazing work for! What a pro! You will not be disappointed. Matt is accommodating and patient on top of being a great musician.

  7. Review by Gwenaël M.
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    With ease, Matt added beauty and creativity to the tracks. Very professional and easy to work with. I highly recommend!!

  8. Review by Sree R.
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    Matt is a wonderful musician and he delivered exactly what I was looking for. Looking forward to working with him again.

  9. Review by JS
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    by JS
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    Matt played an amazing string section that elevated my song and was everything I had hoped it would be. It was nothing less than perfect for my song. Always the best!

  10. Review by Richard B.
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    Matt, in one take and in less than a couple hours after talking through ideas, produced an amazing ensemble of fiddle, bass, and mandolin for my folk song. Matt deserves ten stars. Not five.

  11. Review by JS
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    by JS
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    The devil went down to Georgia and Matt bitch slapped him. Thanks, Matt!

  12. Review by JS
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    by JS
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    Another brilliant turn on the strings. Thanks, Matt!

  13. Review by JS
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    by JS
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    Another great contribution from Matt. He has helped to elevate every track that I have sent him. Unique and intuitive, he gets underneath the skin of every track. Thanks, Matt!!

  14. Review by JS
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    by JS
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    Another great experience working with Matt "fiddle me this" Combs.

  15. Review by JS
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    by JS
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    MaTT!!!! Beyond the beyond, BABY!! Burns it up!!!! Thanks Matt!!

  16. Review by ehagen08
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    Matt is one of the BEST. Delivered faster than anticipated. Arrangement was beautiful. Quality was top notch. Personal touch by actually getting together via phone instead of just emails back and forth. Absolute professional. Will use again in a heartbeat.

  17. Review by Park Chisolm
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    by Park Chisolm

    I can't say enough great things about Matt's beautiful playing, arranging, and versatility. We've written and recorded together for a number of Kevin Costner projects over the past 5 years, and he is my first call for anything I am producing that needs strings. From haunting fiddle lines to soaring string arrangements, Matt always delivers exactly what the song needs. I love the fact that I can send him a track in progress with little to no direction, and he sends back the perfect parts every time.

  18. Review by Grant Maloy Smith
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    Matt played all the fiddle on my new album APPALACHIA - AMERICAN STORIES. He is not only a great player who can play first violin in a symphony orchestra in the afternoon and then hoe down with the best of them in a country band at night, but he is a genuine pleasure to work with. A total professional!

  19. Review by Bill Reynolds
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    by Bill Reynolds

    Matt is awesome to work with, we have done several sessions together. I first heard him on Yola's record, So good. He makes me the track sound vibrant and fresh. I have worked with many string players who also arrange, Matt is hands down the best.

  20. Review by Christopher Henry
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    by Christopher Henry

    From tasteful bluegrass/old-time/country to sophisticated orchestration, Matt is extremely
    Intuitive, super easy to work with, and can often turn things around very quickly. He has helped Many some of the favorite recordings I have produced expand and fulfill their potential. His credits are very impressive, he is very aware of energy in general, an excellent communicator, and one of my favorite people. Check him out!!

Interview with Matt Combs

  1. Q: How would you describe your style?

  2. A: I always try to be a servant to the song. Depending on what's needed, my string arrangement style can lean toward the sounds found on old Al Green recording, toward more modern sounds, or more like a classic lush arrangement. Strings can be heard in every style of music and I enjoy supplying that unique sound to any song in any genre.

  3. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  4. A: Stylistically, I'm all over the map, but I've been arranging and playing on a lot of rock and roll and Americana styles. Although, I'm equally versed in country styles and classical music. I also really enjoy writing for screen.

  5. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  6. A: I have a 900 square foot studio attached to the back of my house where I do all of my recording. My room is nicely tuned and is a good mixture between live and fully treated. I have a fine selection of mics that are complimentary to strings (AEA,Peluso, AKG) and some top shelf mic pre amps (Grace, Shadow Hills, Focusrite).

  7. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  8. A: I love Dan Auerbach's 2016 album called "Waiting on a Song". It was the first time I started working with Dan and since then I've played on nearly all of Easy Eye Sound's releases. Working with Dan really opened up my mind to the possibilities of what can be done with strings in a rock and roll-ish setting.

  9. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  10. A: A theme song for an upcoming TV show.

  11. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  12. A: I work digitally for ease of editing and self producing.

  13. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  14. A: You're going to be happy with what I provide.

  15. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  16. A: My favorite part about being a session musician is making other people's music sound better. I also enjoy the immediate creativity.

  17. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  18. A: What is it that YOU want to hear? Do you have specific ideas, or do you want me to just "do my thing?"

  19. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  20. A: Check out my Spotify playlist--it gives you a wide range of what it is that I can offer.

  21. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  22. A: I could get by with one violin, one mic and a computer, but I certainly love my studio and wouldn't want to get sand in my fiddle.

  23. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  24. A: I have been working in Nashville in various musical capacities since 1997. After earning a bachelors of music of University of Michigan, I moved to Nashville to be around the best musicians in the world. I have worked in the live fields playing fiddle and touring with many top acts (John Hartford, Reba, Patty Loveless) then I became the house fiddler and mandolin player for the Grand Ole Opry. in 2015 I quit my job at the Opry to focus more on being a session musician which is my passion.

  25. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  26. A: I would love to work with Adele. She has a classic sound while still being innovative. I would also love to work with Childish Gambino because..obviously.

  27. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  28. A: When stacking strings, to avoid phase issues, I incorporate different instruments, mutes and playing styles to sound more like a section and less like one person playing everything.

  29. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  30. A: My strongest skill is listening to a track and finding the spots where I need to play that makes the track sound better. Be it a beautiful intro, a lift to the Chorus or background pads, I always strive to bring out the best in a song.

  31. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  32. A: Strings bring a very special magic to a song. They do a very unique and special thing and really help a track sound full. I can make your track sound "expensive" without hiring an arranger and a room full of string players.

  33. Q: What's your typical work process?

  34. A: In string arranging, my first step is to work with the artist to first see if there are any ideas or lines that are already baked in the track that I can double or accent, then I take a fresh pass to see what ideas pop out. Once a general line is developed, I work with the other instruments in the string family to make a full arrangement. How large the arrangement gets is often dictated by the track itself, or by the artist or producer.

  35. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  36. A: In the string arrangement world, my main influences are Dan Auerbach, Willie Mitchell, and David Campbell. In the folk and Americana field, my main influence and mentor is/was John Hartford.

  37. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  38. A: I mostly do string overdubs at my home studio in Nashville, TN. Anything from solo violin (or fiddle) to a full string section.

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Dan Auerbach "King of a One Horse Town"

I was the string arranger and sole string performer in this production

GenresSounds Like
  • Dan Auerbach
  • Al Green
  • John Hartford
Gear Highlights
  • A selection of fine string instruments (violin
  • viola
  • cello bass)
  • AEA ribbon mics
  • Grace
  • Shadow Hills and Focusrite Mic PreAmps.
More Photos