Profiles
Matt has a growing reputation as a classical contemporary saxophonist specialising on tenor saxophone and is committed to performing, commissioning and composing new music for the instrument. Since 2007 Matt has given a number of UK premieres of new works for saxophone at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Hexham Abbey Music Festival and the Clothworkers Hall Leeds.
Graduating with honours from Leeds College of Music in 2008, Matt established himself as a contemporary performer and composer under the guidance of Professor Richard Ingham (saxophone) and Dr Darren Sproston (composition). During his time at Leeds he was selected to write for The Goldberg Ensemble as part of their UK Contemporary Music Tour 2008, and has been well received in a number of performance and composition masterclasses with Andy Tweed (Saxtet), Colin Honour (Clarinet/Opera North) and the Apollo Saxophone Quartet.
Matt completed his postgraduate studies towards a Masters degree at the Royal Northern College of Music in Performance and Composition with Rob Buckland, Andy Scott (saxophone) and Larry Goves (composition) graduating with a distinction.
Matt continues his efforts to develop a modern soundworld of composition and saxophone performance and in July 2009 received a scholarship to perform at the 15th World Saxophone Congress in Bangkok, representing the UK and RNCM in the promotion of cutting edge British repertoire for tenor saxophone and piano, which was highly commended by Jean-Marie Londeix.
Current performance projects include the formation of a new trio consisting of sax, piano and percussion; Interference Trio, working with both student and established composers from across the UK in creating this progressive new sound of classical/contemporary music. The trio can include Brian Irvine, Tim Richards, Rob Hall, Graham Coatman, Geoff Eales and contemporary double bass supremo Dave Kane as collaborating artists.
In March 2008 Matt was commissioned by The National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain to write a movement, as part of their ambitious new music project known as the 7 Wonders. Writing alongside established composers such as Andy Scott, Nigel Wood and Graham Coatman, premiered at the CBSO centre March 2009 and at the 15th World Saxophone Congress in July 2009.