Matthew "Atlanta Bliss" Blistan (born c. 1952) is an Americanjazztrumpeter. He is best known for his work withPrince from 1985–1991. He won theGrammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for the 1986 single "Kiss" by Prince.[1]
A native ofPeters Township, Pennsylvania, Blistan was 33 years old and living inAtlanta when friend andDuquesne University classmate,Eric Leeds, brought him toPrince's attention. He joined Prince's band,The Revolution, in 1985, and first recorded the song, "Mountains", released on the 1986 album,Parade, a soundtrack to the 1986 film,Under the Cherry Moon. He was spontaneously given the nickname Atlanta Bliss one day as Prince entered the recording studio, singing and dancing, stating, "Atlanta Bliss plays like this."[1]
Blistan spent thousands of hours recording and rehearsing with Prince over the next 6 years.[1] He appeared in the 1987 concert film,Sign o' the Times, and performed on the track, "Sticky Wicked", withMiles Davis fromChaka Khan's 1988 albumCK. Blistan left the band in 1991 and moved back toPittsburgh.[2] He continued to work on occasion with Leeds.
Blistan is married to Mary Anne Blistan, and the couple have two children.[1]
