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Atlanta Bliss

Born: 1952-01-01

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.

Filmography
Prince: Live At Paisley Park - December 31, 1987 poster
Prince: Live At Paisley Park - December 31, 1987
2020 • Self
Prince - Lovesexy Live poster
Prince - Lovesexy Live
1988 • Trumpet
Prince: Sign 'o' the Times poster
Prince: Sign 'o' the Times
1987 • Self
Prince - 4 Those Of U On Valium poster
Prince - 4 Those Of U On Valium
1987
Prince and The Revolution - Parade Live in Stockholm poster
Prince and The Revolution - Parade Live in Stockholm
1986
Prince and the Revolution: Parade LIVE poster
Prince and the Revolution: Parade LIVE
1986
Sheila E.: Live Romance 1600 poster
Sheila E.: Live Romance 1600
1986