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Matt Styles – Saxophonist, Educator, and Composer
"...a pure tonal line rising like a sonic meteorite..."
"...a compelling soloist...producing a stream of melodious sounds..."
"...his craft like a silver thread..."
— Limelight, 2024
A versatile and visionary saxophonist
One of Australia's most versatile saxophonists, Matt Styles navigates with ease between jazz, classical music, funk, and avant-garde, as a soloist, educator, arranger, composer, and musical director.
A self-described "educator-performer," he has inspired audiences and students in the United Kingdom, Asia, and Australia. He has performed with renowned artists such as Ben Folds, Diana Ross, Dave Weckl, Paul Grabowsky, Tim Minchin, Olivia Newton-John and The Manhattan Transfer. On the jazz scene, he has played at prestigious festivals such as the Villa Cellimontana Jazz Festival (Rome) and the Ninegates International Jazz Festival (Beijing). His album "Home by 11," released on Tall Poppies Records, explores Australian jazz and crossover music.
A leading orchestral musician and performer
In the classical field, he is regularly called upon as principal saxophonist by ensembles such as:
➤ Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
➤ Singapore Symphony Orchestra
➤ Western Australian Symphony Orchestra
➤ Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
➤ Perth Symphony Orchestra
Since 1997, he has performed annual Australian and world premieres of classical and crossover works composed for him. Highlights include:
➤ Australian premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage's "Hidden Love Song," as soloist with the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra.
➤ World premiere of the concerto "Seasons of Life" for soprano saxophone and wind orchestra, written for him by Glyn MacDonald, released in December 2019.
➤ World premiere of Holly Harrison's "Saxophone Concerto" with the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra in August 2024, a work fusing classical, funk, punk, rock, and jazz.
Committed composer and researcher
Matt Styles has recently begun composing for the saxophone, and his works are published by Astute Music UK. At the same time, he conducts research on injury prevention and rehabilitation for saxophonists, sharing his knowledge at conferences and training sessions throughout the UK, Asia, and Australia.
An influential educator
Holding a PhD in interpretation, pedagogy, and performance of classical, jazz, and multi-genre works, he was awarded a Churchill Fellowship, allowing him to study with Dr. Otis Murphy, Dr. Tom Walsh, Bob Berg, and Dr. Eugene Rousseau.
Currently, he is a Senior Lecturer in Classical and Cross-Genre Saxophone at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Edith Cowan University), where he directs the Honors of Music program, the Phone Network, and supervises Masters and Doctoral students.
With over 25 years of teaching experience at all levels, Matthew Styles is a leading figure in music pedagogy. He shares his passion through masterclasses, concerts, and workshops, encouraging young musicians to develop their creativity and become the artists of tomorrow.
