معرفی
Matt Olson is a Professor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Studies at Furman University. He holds terminal degrees from Northwestern University (B.M. and M.M.) and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.).
His professional career includes performances with renowned artists such as Randy Brecker, Chris Potter, and members of Manhattan Transfer, spanning venues like Carnegie Hall and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Olson co-leads the Unhinged Sextet, releasing albums Clarity (2015) and Don’t Blink (2017), and produced his solo work 789 Miles (2019). He is a D’Addario and Conn-Selmer Endorsing Artist.
Research focuses on jazz composition inspired by 1950-60s innovators like John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter, alongside pedagogical advancements in saxophone instruction and improvisation. He publishes articles in Downbeat and The Saxophone Symposium, and his original compositions are featured in eJazzlines.
Olson actively engages in music education through clinics at national conferences (Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, Jazz Education Network) and serves on professional boards including NAFME and NAfME. His work bridges performance excellence with educational innovation.
