Rick Matt

Rick Matt has been one of the most in demand saxophonists in the Pittsburgh region for over twenty years. As a freelancer and bandleader, Rick has played with various jazz, pop and classical artists. Some of these include Tony Bennett, Toshiko Akioshi, Richie Cole, Byron Stripling, Mike Stern, Dave Leibman and Sean Jones. He has also performed with The Temptations, Four Top’s, Martha Reeves, The O’Jays, and many more accomplished musicians and artists.

Over the course of his career, Rick had the privilege of touring with the late great Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band as the lead Tenor saxophonist. He has also performed and toured with the National Broadway shows Smokey Joes’ Cafe and Ain’t Misbehavin. He has performed many other shows with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Musical theater, and Pittsburgh Public Theater.

Rick is currently a member of The Steeltown Horns (Pittsburgh’s Premiere Horn Section) and The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra. He frequently leads his own groups and projects throughout the Pittsburgh Region.

From an educational perspective, Rick has been teaching for over 20 years. During that time, he has taught as the adjunct saxophone professor at West Virgina Wesleyan College and Duquesne University City Music Center as the woodwind instructor. He is currently on staff as an adjunct professor at the Pittsburgh School for the Performing arts (C.A.P.A) where he leads the jazz ensemble, teaches jazz pedagogy and woodwind methods. Rick has also performed in and organized jazz clinics with high school and college ensembles across Pennsylvania and the country.