CLINICS +
RESIDENCIES.
What took me 30 years to learn, reduced to the three things that matter, not the 300.
That's my saxophone in John Wick (2014), on screen and on the official soundtrack. I work across jazz, film and television: Maynard Ferguson's Big Bop Nouveau Band, the Mingus Big Band, Postmodern Jukebox, Dorrance Dance. I served as musical director for Duane Park and founded BYNK Records in 2012.
Teaching has run alongside all of it, from the Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra to three years running the combos, coaching the soloists and recording the bands at William H. Hall High School in West Hartford. I teach what I use on the gig, and I show it on the horn.
The three things that matter, not the 300.
- The three things: sound, time and honesty.
- The practice habits that actually paid off, each one shown on the horn.
- Improvising on real gigs: clubs, big bands, dancers, theater and sessions.
The business side, from someone still doing it.
- Where the money comes from now: gigs, sideman work, sessions, licensing, teaching and your own releases.
- Getting the call, and the call back.
- Yes, no and what to charge.
- Wins and failures from a working life, no names.
I sit in with your ensembles for a set, your charts or mine, sent ahead.
A concert with your top band to close a residency.
About 60 to 90 minutes.
Both classes, plus private lessons in the afternoon.
Two days, ending with a concert with your band.
I work one-on-one with the soloists in the charts you're playing now.
Visits are paid engagements. Fees scale with the program, from a single class to a two-day residency with a concert. Send me your dates and I'll quote it.
- 2003 to 2006Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra, New York
- On tourMaster classes with Maynard Ferguson's Big Bop Nouveau Band
- 2016UMass Jazz in July
- 2021 to 2024William H. Hall High School: combo director (Combo I and II), one-on-one improvisation coaching for the Concert Jazz Band, arranger, recording and mixing engineer
- 2022 to 2026The Hartt School, University of Hartford: senior seminar, coaching student combos
- 2023Canton High School: guest artist with Germany's MPG Big Band
- OngoingWilliam H. Hall High School, master classes and mentoring
Thank you. I'll be in touch within two business days with ideas and a quote.
What do your students need to hear from someone outside the building?
Prefer email? mattparkermusic@gmail.com