Matt O’Regan - Piano

Matthew O'Regan was born 4th March 1974 to a non-musical family in Romford, Essex. He began playing keyboard by ear at the age 7, although he did not start taking piano lessons until the age of 14. At the age of 17 he gained Grade 8 on both piano and saxophone. 

1992-96 was spent at Trinity College of Music (London) studying classical piano with Christine Croshaw. In addition to his classical studies Matt also played with the Trinity Big Band under the direction of Bobby Lamb, and performed Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ with the Trinity College Orchestra. During this time he was also pianist and arranger with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

After taking 2 years out to work firstly on the QE2 and then with the Tony Evans orchestra in Monte-Carlo, Matthew won a place on the Post-graduate Jazz course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and was awarded the Ronnie Scott Scholarship (1998-99).

Since leaving college, work has been extensive and varied. Matt has worked as Musical Director for Salena Jones including 2 tours of Japan and an appearance at the Blue Note Club in New York. He has performed with the BBC Big Band, the Pasadena Roof Orchestra and the Ted Heath Orchestra, and in the West End has played in the Orchestras of We Will Rock You, Bombay Dreams, Footloose, Our House, and the Rat Pack.

Matt now combines his work with Syd Lawrence Orchestra with a busy schedule of freelance work including Library Music sessions, recordings for BBC TV and Radio and innumerable live appearances with Jazz Ensembles, Big Bands and Shows.