Matt Marantz

Matt Marantz started playing the alto saxophone at the age of eleven as a middle school student. Both of his parents are musicians, and when he was in junior high school his father gave him a recording of Charlie Parker as a Christmas present. He was immediately enthralled with the music of Charlie Parker and began to listen to him and study his solos. A couple of years later, he began attending the high school where his father teaches, the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas. Marantz was given the opportunity to learn and grow alongside fellow music students (including Frank LoCrasto), and he and his band mates were given many opportunities to perform at notable jazz festivals and conventions. It was during these festivals and conventions that Marantz met many people that inspired him to want to learn more about music, and during his senior year of high school Matt had the good fortune of being able to study with the legendary saxophone professor at the University of North Texas, Jim Riggs. After graduating high school he was given the opportunity to attend the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Matt is heading into his final year of undergraduate studies at the Manhattan School, and afterward he plans to continue his pursuit of music in the professional realm. He hopes to be able to organize a small quartet and perform regularly in New York after this final year of school is over. During his stay in New York, he has had the opportunity to get to study with the amazing tenor saxophonist and composer Bob Mintzer for three years. He feels that Bob has given him a lot of inspiration through his recordings and teachings. During his musical career, Matt has had the opportunity to perform with many inspiring jazz musicians. While in Dallas, he has performed at many venues with pianist and guitarist Roger Boykin, local legendary guitarist Clint Strong, and local legendary saxophonist Marchel Ivery. He has also played with Dave Brubeck, Chris Potter, Christian McBride, Jeff Tain Watts, John Clayton, Jeff Clayton, Gerald Clayton, Branford Marsalis, Dr. Billy Taylor, Kurt Elling, Roy Hargrove, Mike Smith, Ingrid Jensen, and Frank Locrasto. Matt Marantz endorses Keilwerth saxophones and Rico reeds.