When most Eastern students think of someone playing the saxophone, many think of playing in their fifth grade band.

However, Matt Corey may dispel this thought at 7 p.m. today in the 7th Street Underground.

“He puts a spin on music with a jazz funk fusion,” said Cassie Falco, the main stage coordinator for the University Board. “He plays a lot of the same music Eastern students have already heard on the radio just with a different spin.”

Corey performs songs by Drake, Rihanna, Usher, Katy Perry, and Michael Jackson, which have all been on the Top 40 Billboard chart.

“There’s a good chance if you listen to the radio and listen to our promo tape you will hear the same songs,” Corey said.

After graduating from Youngstown State University with jazz performance and music education degrees, Corey traded his classic saxophone style for a pop twist in order to entertain his peers.

“I really liked playing sax but not necessarily a fan of playing in the jazz environments,” Corey said. “I would rather play at one of the clubs I would have fun at and play for my rowdy, drunk friends.”

Since his days at Youngstown, Corey opted to follow his performance degree.

He has played with a classical bus tour, and in 2004, he performed with George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkedelic.

While touring with the band Skinny, Corey had the opportunity to open shows for Dave Mathews Band, Lil’ Wayne and O.A.R.

“All awesome experiences,” Corey said.

After starting his solo career, Corey’s YouTube videos sparked the attention of NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

“My clip was played during the show, I wasn’t able to personally get to go to Las Vegas and perform,” Corey said.

On Aug. 16, Corey and his two band mates began a 36-city tour including Miami, Houston and Indianapolis.

Corey’s band mates are bassist, Matt Vick, and a recently added drummer, Chase Williams, after his former drummer, James Agnew, left the band to play with Justin Bieber.

“We love to play and meet new people to extend the family,” Corey said.

Eastern students should be able to relate to Corey’s style of music and have a good time with the performance,” Falco said “This should be a fun event especially if the students feel like moving and dancing. From what I’ve heard, he has a lot of energy and plays a lot of different kinds of music.”

Corey’s performance will be the first UB: Unplugged event of the Fall 2010 semester. Every Unplugged event is free for Eastern students.

Kayleigh Zyskowski can be reached at 581-7942 or at [email protected].