Matt Marantz

Matt Marantz is a freelance jazz saxophonist based in New Orleans. He is a recent graduate of Manhattan School of Music, where he received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Saxophone Performance on a full-tuition scholarship. While at MSM he studied privately with such notable educators and performers as Bob Mintzer, Steve Wilson, Garry Dial, and John Riley. He initiated outside lessons with Chris Cheek and Steve Cardenas. Matt was selected to perform in an honor jazz quartet during his 2008 MSM graduation ceremony, playing a musical tribute to Honorary Doctorate inductee, Billy Joel.

Since 2000 Matt has garnered a total of 26 Downbeat Student Music Awards. He received his first DB award as an 8th grader, winning the coveted Instrumental Jazz Soloist award (Junior High Division). He went on from there to be named the top jazz instrumental soloist (Performing Arts High School Division) three more times and was featured on the 2003 cover of the 26th Annual DB Student Music Awards section entitled “4-peat! Matt Marantz Earns 4th Instrumental Soloist Award”. His DB awards include wins in multiple categories, including Best Jazz Instrumental Soloist, Best Jazz Instrumental Group, Best Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist, and Best Blues/Pop/Rock Group. His most recent DB awards include another win as Best Jazz Soloist for 2006 in the College Division and an Outstanding Performance win in the 2007 Jazz Instrumental Soloist College Division category.

During his high school years he was selected to attend many prestigious jazz events, such as the Brubeck Summer Jazz Colony (2002-2004), the Vail Jazz Workshop (2003), the Gibson/Baldwin Grammy High School Big Band (2003- 2004), and the Texas All-State Jazz Band (2002-2004). He was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas and was a member of the Combo I, which was a three-time winner of the Monterrey Jazz Festival Educational Competition’s combo division. He was twice awarded “Outstanding Horn Player

Awards

Music For Youth Foundation $25,000 Scholarship Awardee 2004, Clifford Brown/Stan Getz Fellow 2004, Manhattan School of Music - full tuition scholarship, Dave Brubeck Summer Jazz Colony Fellow 2002-2003, Vail Jazz Workshop Fellow 2003, Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards “Best Jazz Soloist” College Co- Winner 2006, Winner of a total of 26 Downbeat Student Music Awards since the year 2000, NFAA Arts Recognition and Talent Search - Arts Winner Level One 2004, Texas All-State Jazz Band 2002-2004, Outstanding Horn Player - Combo Division - Monterey Educational Jazz Festival 2001-2002

Gear

Tenor: Keilwerth SX 90R black-nickel plated tenor saxophone, Otto Link 7* metal STM mouthpiece, Rico Select Jazz 3M un-filed reeds Soprano: Keilwerth SX90II black-nickel soprano saxophone, Otto Link 7 hard- rubber mouthpiece, Rico Select Jazz 3M un-filed reeds Alto: Keilwerth SX90R 75th Anniversary silver/black-nickel alto saxophone, Meyer 7 hard-rubber mouthpiece, LaVoz med-hard reeds

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