Young Musician Matt Barcus Returns to the Central Coast

Our Basin Street Regulars organization has five mission statements. Two of those statements address the future of Traditional Jazz music: 1. To provide young musicians of high school and college age and other beginners with the opportunity to play along with older and more experienced musicians. 2. To provide musical programs at educational institutions as a means of creating interest in traditional jazz among the youth of the area. Matt Barcus is one of those young musicians. He grew up on the Central Coast, but says “he grew up musically on the stage of the Pismo Beach Veteran’s Hall.” When he was in high school, 2009-2013, his friends invited him to join them playing Trad Jazz with a small group of people in Pismo Beach. That group was the BSR Jammers, experienced musicians who play together just for fun at the BSR monthly Sunday concerts. Matt played regularly with the Jammers which led to being invited to play for special events, including being part of a traveling group who went to the Sacramento Jazz Festival in 2014. After graduating in 2013, Matt attended the Mammoth Lakes Jazz Festival where he had an unforgettable musical experience and met many people who are now lifelong friends. Matt started playing music in 6th grade and never looked back. He says, “Music has been an integral part of my life ever since, and I am thankful my parents encouraged me to join th