Modern saxophonists are expected to be especially versatile and able to perform successfully in a wide variety of musical settings. This clinic will focus on the skills and techniques required to achieve this versatility, emphasizing fundamental areas of saxophone performance including tone production, articulation, and interpretation. The clinic will also provide a broad overview of saxophone equipment, particularly the different mouthpieces and reeds that are appropriate for each style.
Matt Olson
- Biographical Information
Conn-Selmer and D’Addario Endorsing Artist Matt Olson is Charles Ezra Daniel Professor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Studies at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of Illinois, and a Master of Music degree in Jazz Pedagogy and Bachelor of Music degree in Saxophone Performance from Northwestern University.
Matt’s professional work includes performances with Randy Brecker, Chris Potter, Kenny Barron, Joe Lovano, Stefon Harris, Kurt Elling, Benny Carter, Wayne Bergeron, Jeff Coffin, John Fedchock, Byron Stripling, Doc Severinsen, Wycliffe Gordon, Manhattan Transfer, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Lou Rawls, and the Milwaukee and Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. His performances have taken him to the Montreal Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, and Chicago’s Jazz Showcase and Orchestra Hall.
Matt’s three solo recordings, Open Spaces and 789 Miles (OA2 Records) and Vortex (self-released), along with his two recordings with the collaborative jazz sextet Unhinged Sextet, Clarity and Don’t Blink (OA2 Records), have received worldwide radio airplay and numerous positive reviews, including being featured on Joey Defrancesco’s Sirius/XM radio program “Organized.”
Matt has performed or presented at numerous conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance, World Saxophone Congress, United States Navy International Saxophone Symposium, The Midwest Clinic, Jazz Education Network Conference, and South Carolina Music Educators Association conference.