Matt Olsen

A native of Racine, Wisconsin, Matt Olson is an Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Studies at Furman. Matt’s professional work includes performances with Randy Brecker, Kurt Elling, Benny Carter, Kevin Mahogany, Chris Vadala, Doc Severinsen, Manhattan Transfer, Lou Rawls, Johnny Mathis, Wayne Newton, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, the Four Tops, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Jazz Ensemble. His performances have taken him to the Montreal Jazz Festival as well as to Chicago’s Jazz Showcase and Orchestra Hall. Matt was selected to perform at the 2002, 2004, and 2006 North American Saxophone Alliance national conferences and the 2003 World Saxophone Congress. He has also been a featured guest artist and clinician at Northwestern University, Arizona State University Samford University, and high schools throughout the United States. His article on Jerry Bergonzi’s approach to intervallic improvisation appeared in the January 2006 issue of Downbeat magazine.