STYLES, Matt had lessons with Jack Harrison.
Matt Styles is one of Australia’s most versatile saxophonists, working across jazz, classical, funk, and cross-genre music as a performer, educator, arranger, composer, and musical director. A self-described performing educator, he has inspired audiences and students throughout the UK, Asia, and Australia.
Matt has collaborated with an impressive range of artists, including Ben Folds, Diana Ross, Dave Weckl, Paul Grabowsky, Tim Minchin, Olivia Newton-John, and The Manhattan Transfer. He has performed at major international jazz festivals across Europe and Asia and appears on numerous recordings, including Home by 11, an album of original Australian works by Mix’t Trio released on Tall Poppies Records.
As principal saxophonist, Matt has performed with leading orchestras including the Malaysian Philharmonic, Singapore Symphony, Western Australian Symphony, Tasmanian Symphony, and Perth Symphony Orchestras. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has built a repertoire ranging from early saxophone works to contemporary world premieres.
A passionate advocate for new music, Matt has given more than 30 Australian and world-premiere performances, including numerous works as a featured soloist with orchestra. Highlights include Superhighway Saxophone Concerto by Holly Harrison with the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, Seasons of Life by Glyn MacDonald, Four Postcards from Perth by Simone Lobbia, Catalina by James Ledger, and Aria and Finale by John Carmichael.
His academic studies include postgraduate training at London’s Royal College of Music, Indiana University, and the University of Minnesota, together with a Churchill Fellowship that enabled study with leading international saxophonists and educators. He later completed a Doctorate focused on the interpretation, pedagogy, and performance of classical, jazz, and cross-genre works.
As founder of Western Australia’s first university saxophone program, Matt has spent 27 years developing versatile, career-ready musicians. His graduates work across performance, composition, education, arts management, entrepreneurship, and research.
His current research explores injury prevention for saxophonists through the integration of sports science, psychology, and music performance. With more than 30 years of teaching experience, Matt continues to shape the next generation of musicians while maintaining an active and diverse performing career.
Samples of Matt’s recordings can be found here.