Heart Matter
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An Intimate Balance of Lightness and Darkness.
Vocalist Amy D and vibraphonist Dillon Vado, co-leaders of Heart Matter, share a kinship built on trust, synergy, and the honoring of authentic expression. With a unique ensemble of voice and vibraphone, often expanding to a quartet with bass and drums, the music is both virtuosic and uplifting.
Their original, innovative sounds combine the intentionality of chamber music with the grounded yet agile nature of Brazilian rhythm, the spontaneity of jazz improvisation, and soul-stirring lyrics.
Listeners do more than listen: they reflect and transform.
San Jose natives now residing in Oakland, both Amy D and Dillon Vado have been significant contributors to the San Francisco Bay Area scene for over a decade. The joining together of their broad range of musical influences and desire to deepen community connection has resulted in a unique, living work of art.
“Drummer and vibraphonist Dillon Vado and vocalist Amy D have forged a songwriting partnership and launched a quartet with a singularly spacious sound.”
The Artists.
The soulful, effortless sounds of vocalist and songwriter Amy D. envelop listeners in a dream-like fusion of jazz, soul, world, and R&B styles, bridging genres and generations alike. Combined with inspiring lyrics and heartfelt storytelling, her music is a timeless soundscape inviting reflection, healing, and growth. Her debut album ‘Like You’ was released in 2019 on Unspeakable Records, in collaboration with producer and master keyboardist Michael Aaberg (Goapele, Lalah Hathaway, Derrick Hodge).
Dillon Vado is a drummer and vibraphonist who plays music that is an honest representation of a broad range of influences. His music is known for being dynamic and complex, yet memorable and relatable. As comfortable laying down Brazilian grooves on drum set as he is improvising with poets on vibraphone, Dillon can be found playing with many of his own projects including The Table Trio, Amy D on vibes, and drumming/composing
for Never Weather, who released their debut album
Blissonance in 2020.
