Living Sound
Music played on saxophones and woodwinds, with the room as the second performer.
Living Sound is Matt Parker’s solo concert for saxophones and woodwinds, made for spaces with a sound of their own. Before he plays, he listens to the room: its decay, its reflections, its silence. Then he plays sparely enough to hear the room answer, and lets the architecture shape every phrase. There is no fixed set list, so no two performances are the same.
It began in 2013 at the Clocktower in Tribeca, when Matt played a single note in the marble elevator lobby of 108 Leonard and the building answered. Since then he has played chapels, galleries and clifftops, from St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University to the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.
One continuous set, 45 to 60 minutes.
Matt Parker, solo: tenor, soprano and baritone saxophones, bass clarinet, clarinet, flute and alto flute.
The solo acoustic performance is the center. A show can open the sound up with light electronics, then return to the acoustic room.
Chapels and sacred spaces, museums and galleries, libraries, historic buildings and preserves.
- Saxophones and woodwinds, with stands
- Portable sound when the show uses electronics
- Recording gear to document the performance, with the presenter’s OK
- Time in the room before doors to listen
- A small table and a chair
- One outlet near the playing spot, only if electronics are used
- A day-of contact, parking and load-in details
- Sacred Music at Columbia, St. Paul’s Chapel, Columbia UniversityNew York, NY · 2025
- Sacred Music at Columbia, St. Paul’s Chapel, Columbia UniversityNew York, NY · 2022
- The Clocktower, 108 LeonardNew York, NY · 2013
- The Cliffs of MoherIreland
Book Living Sound
Living Sound is booked directly through BYNK Records. A small footprint keeps it simple to present. We promote and advertise every show heavily.
Dates and terms: write to us and we’ll send availability.