“For me, music and basically the blues music is a mission. It is important to spread real live music, blues music, in every moment on stage and in everyday life. Even though the blues music is not a popular genre, it brings joy and happiness to many people.”

Matyas Pribojszki: Jumping Matt…Forward!

Multi-award-winning Matyas Pribojszki aka “Jumping Matt” is one of the finest and highest qualified harmonica players, singers out there. The gold album recipient, official Hohner harmonica endorser has 16(!) albums under his belt. During his career he has performed in 30 countries on three continents passing on the message of his own style of blues, many times sharing the stage with blues extraordinaires alike, Charlie Musselwhite, Bob Margolin, Duke Robillard, Finis Tasby, Howard Tate, Big Daddy Wilson, Carlos Del Junco, Andy J. Forest, Herbie Goins, Bill Barrett, Paul Lamb, Ian Siegal, Little G. Weevil and many others. Matyas Pribojszki and his Band was invited as opening band for the great Bill Wymann and the Rhythm Kings, and for the one and only Sir Tom Jones! Moreover “Matt” was invited on the stage to play a song with the legendary Tom Jones!

(Matyas Pribojszki aka “Jumping Matt” / Photo by János Nagy)

The name is already right on the money since Jumping Matt is well known of his high energy performances. He is not a rookie in this business by any means. He travels the world playing his happy-go-lucky blues and boogie with some jazzy elements and the audience loves his positive attitude. After thirty years and sixteen albums songwriter, vocalist and harmonica player Jumping Matt continues to find new and interesting ways in which to engage listeners. His great band the Jumping Matt & His Combo entered the studio with a renewed line-up in the fall of 2024: Viktor Hamvas joined Combo, playing keyboard and piano. Drummer Dániel Molnár and bassist László Csizmadia are responsible for the usual top-charting rhythm section. Jumping Matt & His Combo’s new album "Forward" (2025) is a twelve-song program that includes all original songs.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?

I was into music from an early age, I listened to early soul, funk, R&B records sometime from the mid-80's. Like Temptations, Delegation, Sam Cooke, Kool & the Gang, Earth Wind & Fire, James Brown...and many other greats. By chance I came across an early Sonny Boy Williamson record, that was the "One way out" album...so, that was the moment. From there I became interested in harmonica and blues music.

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

After I started seriously dealing with the instrument (harmonica) and the genre (blues), a specific "Pribojszki" or "Jumping Matt" style began to develop relatively quickly.

I didn't really want to be compared to anyone, I don't even like being compared. Of course, there were eras, mostly in early times when the influences of William Clarke, Rod Piazza, or Gary Primich were stronger, but overall and always I strove for more melodic harmonica playing. Over the years, many musical influences have infuenced me, and so  many things happened to me. These things, changes and experiences have all influenced my playing style.I always capture the moment that comes from my soul. This is perhaps one of the most important features of my playing. Of course, a certain level of technical knowledge is very important, but the real emotions always fulfill my own playing style. My philosophy is simple: "just play how you feel"...

”Sometimes I feel that in many cases the Blues music is also too technically oriented. In many cases, I often miss the real stories, telling stories. I miss the depths, heights and honesty. I'm always trying to express what happened to me or a vision of mine. That's normally and basically what the genre, the blues music should be about, telling stories.” (Jumping Matt & His Combo / Photo by János Nagy)

Why do you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following in Hungary?

I don't think that Blues music generates so many followers in Hungary. It is a small country with a small audience and not so many bands, clubs, festivals representing this genre. Unfortunately the blues music is not a very popular music genre, and it was never "main stream", but I like it very much. I never sought popularity, I just do what I like and how I feel. I try to express what I think and feel whit my own music and lyrics. Regardless, now I'm so proud and so happy, because our brand-new album "Forward" release party was totally sold out at the most exclusive venue in Budapest, the House of Music Hungary!

What´s been the highlights in your career so far? Are there any specific memories that you would like to tell us about?!

I'm extremely lucky, happy and grateful, because I've played in more than 30 countries in the last 30 years and I have a lot of stories from every tour...My greatest experiences were when I could play together with my big icons, like Charlie Musselwhite, Duke Robillard, Bob Margolin, Finish Tasby and many others. That was always a very "uplifting" feelings. It was a pleasure and honor to perform in front of such a world stars as Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, Vaya Con Dios, Ruthie Foster, Jon Cleary, or 'Sir' Tom Jones. One of the most special moments of my musical life was when Tom Jones called me on stage to play with him, and then thanked me for my harmonica solo. That was incredible, a forever memory. But it was also a highlights and a heavy experience when I toured in the USA for a month in trio with my friend Little G Weevil IBC winner, guitar player, singer and Mr. Jambalaya piano player, singer. Lots of stories, lots of experiences... That's what my song "Memphis soul is all about.

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Sometimes I feel that in many cases the Blues music is also too technically oriented. In many cases, I often miss the real stories, telling stories. I miss the depths, heights and honesty. I'm always trying to express what happened to me or a vision of mine. That's normally and basically what the genre, the blues music should be about, telling stories.

It's a bit unusual and terrifying is the the unlimited possibilities of the internet have produced thecnical geiuses on all instruments. However, I think that each step is necessary in order to really be able to give something to the audience... Another scary thing is the AI/MI...By using this, there will be almost no need for real artists, musicians, lyricists...etc. Sooner or later this will definitely have to be regulated, because I'm afraid that this way the real art will be lost...

”As always, music evokes emotions from both the performer and the listener. Joy, sorrow, cheerfulness, happiness, sadnes...Music can express any emotion.” (Photo: Matyas Pribojszki aka “Jumping Matt”)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

The most important lessons I have learned over the years that we all have to be humble and respectful in every situation. I think it is very important to note the musical intelligence. This is extremely important on stage. Let's be open, listen to each other. This is especially important on stage. I believe that Music is not a competition, it dosen't come from a lot of notes or technical virtuosity, but from trying to display our current emotions in our playing.

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society?

For me, music and basically the blues music is a mission. It is important to spread real live music, blues music, in every moment on stage and in everyday life. Even though the blues music is not a popular genre, it brings joy and happiness to many people. So many times they don't even know it's blues...That's why we have to preserve and popularize the blues music as much as we can. What is the role of music in today's society? As always, music evokes emotions from both the performer and the listener. Joy, sorrow, cheerfulness, happiness, sadnes...Music can express any emotion, but I can best answer this question with two excellent quotes, that are timeless:

"Music is the mediator of spiritual life to sensual life" (Ludwig  van Beethoven),  

"Music is a symbol of connecting people and their values based on shared experiences. It is an important component of society as a means by which certain groups of people define themselves and their relationship to the rest of the world." (Frith)

Jumping Matt - Home

(Jumping Matt & His Combo / Photo by János Nagy)