Atlanta Bliss

Atlanta Bliss

Personal information

Known for
Acting
Known credits
8
Gender
Male
Born
January 1, 1952

Biography

Matthew "Atlanta Bliss" Blistan (born c. 1952) is an American jazz trumpeter. He is best known for his work with Prince from 1985–1991. He won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for the 1986 single "Kiss" by Prince.

A native of Peters Township, Pennsylvania, Blistan was 33 years old and living in Atlanta when friend and Duquesne University classmate, Eric Leeds, brought him to Prince'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."

Blistan spent thousands of hours recording and rehearsing with Prince over the next 6 years. He appeared in the 1987 concert film, Sign o' the Times, and performed on the track, "Sticky Wicked", with Miles Davis from Chaka Khan's 1988 album CK. Blistan left the band in 1991 and moved back to Pittsburgh. He continued to work on occasion with Leeds.

Popular

Prince: Sign 'o' the Times
Movie
1987

Prince: Sign 'o' the Times

Movie · 1987

MTV Video Music Awards
Show
1984

MTV Video Music Awards

Show · 1984

Prince: Lovesexy Live
Movie
1988

Prince: Lovesexy Live

Movie · 1988

Prince: Live At Paisley Park - December 31, 1987
Movie
2020

Prince: Live At Paisley Park - December 31, 1987

Movie · 2020

Prince and the Revolution: Parade LIVE
Movie
1986

Prince and the Revolution: Parade LIVE

Movie · 1986

Prince: 4 Those Of U On Valium
Movie
1987

Prince: 4 Those Of U On Valium

Movie · 1987