Editing Matthew Shipp (section)

== Early life and education ==
Shipp was raised in [[Wilmington, Delaware]].<ref name="1998 NYT Profile" /> His mother was a friend of trumpeter [[Clifford Brown]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Agovino |first1=Michael J. |title=Prolific Free-Jazz Pianist Matthew Shipp Leaves Recording Behind |url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2017/01/17/prolific-free-jazz-pianist-matthew-shipp-leaves-recording-behind/ |website=The Village Voice |access-date=23 March 2023 |date=17 January 2017}}</ref>

He began playing piano at five years old.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Fireside Chat with Matthew Shipp |url=http://www.jazzweekly.com/interviews/shipp.htm |website=JazzWeekly.com |access-date=23 March 2023}}</ref> Shipp was strongly attracted to jazz, but also played in rock groups while in high school.

Shipp attended the [[University of Delaware]] for "a couple years" before dropping out.<ref name="2020 AAJ Feature">{{cite web |last1=Hawkins |first1=Seton |title=Matthew Shipp: Poetic Connection |url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/matthew-shipp-poetic-connection-matthew-shipp |website=All About Jazz |access-date=23 March 2023 |date=21 May 2020}}</ref> He opted instead to live with his parents and focus on practicing, though he frequently traveled to Philadelphia to pick up gigs as a cocktail pianist and to study with [[Dennis Sandole]], who Shipp has cited as playing an important role in his development.<ref name="2020 AAJ Feature" />

He later spent a year at the [[New England Conservatory|New England Conservatory of Music]], where he studied with saxophonist and composer [[Joe Maneri]], but again dropped out without completing a degree.<ref name="2020 AAJ Feature" />