Matthew Pivec, Jazz Studies

Saxophonist Matt Pivec has explored many different musical styles. As a performer of jazz and popular music, Matt has worked with Ray Charles, The Temptations, Dave Rivello, Bob Brookmeyer, Peter Erskine, Maria Schneider, the Rochester Philharmonic Pops Orchestra, and the national touring companies of Hairspray, 42nd Street, and The Producers. As a band leader and soloist, Matt has performed at jazz festivals and venues throughout the United States.   His most recent CD, Live at Snider Hall, was released in the spring of 2008 to critical acclaim.Equally adept as a classical saxophonist, he collaborated with composer Michael Cunningham on a 1999 recording of Cunningham’s recital pieces for saxophone. During the project, Matt demonstrated his versatility by recording works on soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. In 2003, he gave the world premiere performance of Michael Hay’s "Blues in Three Parts."

Matt received the Doctor of Musical Arts (Saxophone Performance and Literature) and Master of Music (Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media) degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.  While at Eastman, Matt studied with Ramon Ricker.  He performed with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, the Eastman Graduate Saxophone Quartet, and served as lead alto saxophone of the Eastman Jazz Ensemble.  He received several student honors including the outstanding blues/pop/rock soloist from Downbeat magazine, the Arts Leadership Certificate, and the outstanding Teaching Assistant award. Matt received the Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. There, he  performed with the UWEC Wind Ensemble and served as lead alto saxophone of the nationally acclaimed Jazz Ensemble I, which was recognized twice as the top collegiate jazz ensemble by Downbeat Magazine.

Currently, Matt is the Director of Jazz Studies at Butler University.  Prior to his appointment at Butler, he taught at CSU, Stanislaus and Cornell University.  In 2006 he was named “Junior Faculty Member with Exceptional Promise” by the CSUS College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences.   In 2006 Matt also founded the Stanislaus Youth Jazz Orchestra, a select jazz ensemble comprised of high school students from Stanislaus County. A committed educator, he enjoys teaching saxophone and jazz to students of all ages.  More information about Matt can be found on his website, www.mattpivec.com.