MATT VANCE has been a top-call saxophone and woodwind performer in Florida and the southeast for 35+ years. He performs on all saxophones (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass), as well as clarinet/bass clarinet, bassoon, and flute. In addition to being a member of multiple GRAMMY-nominated Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge (including a September 2021 performance at legendary NYC jazz club Birdland) and a regular performer with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Matt has performed with the following featured artists:
Popular music artists:
Frankie Avalon, Bobby Caldwell, Rosemary Clooney, Fabian, The Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, Crystal Gayle, Robert Goulet, Gladys Knight, Lorna Luft, Melissa Manchester, The Manhattan Transfer, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Martina McBride, Bill Murray, Olivia Newton-John, New York Voices, The O’Jays, Bernadette Peters, Linda Purl, Debbie Reynolds, Don Rickles, Bobby Rydell, The Spinners, The Temptations, Frankie Valli, and Ben Vereen.
Matt also performed for United States President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.
Jazz artists:
John Abercrombie, Brian Bromberg, Bob Brookmeyer, The Boston Brass, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Richie Cole, Pete Candoli, Terri Lyne Carrington, Sara Caswell, Les DeMerle, Tony DeSare, Peter Erskine, Russell Ferrante, Frank Foster, Gordon Goodwin, Danny Gottlieb, Bunky Green, Frank Greene, Tim Hagans, Everette Harp, Slide Hampton, Jennifer Holliday, Ingrid Jensen, Frank Kimbrough, Michel Legrand, Dave Liebman, Steve Lippia, Joe Lovano, Mike Mainieri, Grégoire Maret, Rich Matteson, Jim McNeely, Bob Mintzer, Jane Monheit, Adam Nussbaum, Ken Peplowski, John Pizzarelli, David Sanborn, Diane Schuur, Bobby Shew, Bria Skonberg, Mike Smith, Lew Soloff, Dave Steinmeyer, Mike Stern, Steve Turre, Chris Vadala, Bill Watrous, Ernie Watts, Walt Weiskopf, Nancy Wilson, Steve Wilson, and Warren Wolf.
Ensembles | Orchestras:
The Cab Calloway Orchestra, Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge, Coastal Symphony of Georgia, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, The Nelson Riddle Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, St. Johns River City Band, Western Piedmont (NC) Symphony Orchestra.
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra solo performances:
- Boléro – Maurice Ravel (soprano and tenor saxophone solos)
- La Création du monde – Darius Milhaud (alto saxophone solo)
- Romeo and Juliet – Sergei Prokofiev (tenor saxophone solo)
Broadway national touring productions:
- 42nd Street
- Chicago The Musical
- Mame The Broadway Musical – In Concert!
- Motown: The Musical
- The Producers
- The Rat Pack: Live at the Sands
Music Director | Producer:
Matt served as Music Director and Producer on three albums: Jazz from 11901 Beach Boulevard and Jazz Ensembles 2005 while on the faculty of Florida State College at Jacksonville, and Where or When by The Bill Hubbard Orchestra, a tribute album to one of his musical mentors.
Photo credit: Ted Johnson
All Hat No Saddle | Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge (Matt Vance, bass clarinet/baritone saxophone)
Peep | Chuck Owen and the Jazz Surge (Randy Brecker and Mike Stern, featured soloists; Matt Vance, baritone saxophone)
Dardanella | The Bill Hubbard Orchestra (Matt Vance, Producer/Music Director, baritone saxophone)
A Beautiful Friendship | Jack Heard and His Orchestra (Matt Vance, featured baritone saxophone solo)
Voyage | Jack Heard and His Orchestra (Matt Vance, baritone saxophone, solo at 2:32)
