Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The Butler University Jazz Ensemble is one of seven jazz-related ensembles at Butler University.
Under the direction of Matt Pivec, the band has performed with world-renowned guest artists such as Cécile McLorin-Salvant, Sullivan Fortner, John Clayton, Benny Golson, Stefon Harris, Maria Schneider, Kurt Elling, Christian McBride, Bobby Sanabria, Donny McCaslin, Fred Sturm, Robert Baca, Melvin Rhyne, Steve Allee, Ted Poor and the Wee Trio.
In 2020, the Butler University Jazz Ensemble won the Downbeat Student Music Awards Undergraduate Large Ensemble Category. The Ensemble has been invited to perform at the Indiana Music Educators Association Conference on three separate occasions.
In addition to performing a variety of regular on-campus concerts, the ensemble performs at professional venues such as the Jazz Kitchen, Indy Jazz Fest and Jazz at the Bistro. Since 2008, the ensemble has toured to New Orleans, Memphis, Chicago and St. Louis.
Butler University is a primarily undergraduate institution located in the heart of Indianapolis, Indiana. Performing and scholarship opportunities are available to both music majors and non-majors.
Butler University
Conductor's Bio
As a performer of jazz and popular music, Matt Pivec has worked with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Ana Gasteyer, Dave Rivello, Bob Brookmeyer, Maria Schneider, Julia Dollison, Melvin Rhyne, the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, Steve Allee, Ana Gasteyer, The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic Pops Orchestra, and the national touring companies of Hairspray, 42nd Street, and The Producers. As a band leader and soloist, Matt has performed at jazz festivals and venues throughout the United States. He has three albums to his credit, Live at Snider Hall, Psalm Songs and Time and Direction.
Currently, Matt is the Director of Jazz Studies at Butler University where leads the Jazz Ensemble and teaches courses in the jazz studies curriculum. Since his arrival in 2008, Butler ensembles have performed with world-renowned guest artists such as Cécile McLorin-Salvant, Sullivan Fortner, John Clayton, Benny Golson, Stefon Harris, Maria Schneider, Kurt Elling, Christian McBride, Bobby Sanabria, Donny McCaslin, Fred Sturm, Melvin Rhyne, Steve Allee, Ted Poor and the Wee Trio. Under his direction, in 2020, the Butler University Jazz Ensemble won the Downbeat Student Music Awards Undergraduate Large Ensemble Category.
Matt received the Doctor of Musical Arts (Saxophone Performance and Literature) and Master of Music (Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media) degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. While at Eastman, Matt studied with Ramon Ricker. He performed with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, the Eastman Graduate Saxophone Quartet, and served as lead alto saxophone of the Eastman Jazz Ensemble. Matt received the Bachelor of Music Education degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Matt has presented educational clinics and research at the Jazz Education Network Conference, the International Association for Jazz Education Conference, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Hong Kong Institute of Education, and the Indiana Music Educators Association Conference. His publications have been featured in Teaching Music, Inform, and Jazzed magazines.
Matt is a member of the national music honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda, and in 2013, he received the Mortar Board, Excellence in Teaching Award from the Jordan College of the Arts. In 2020, Matt received the Outstanding Collegiate Music Educator award from the Indiana Music Education Association. He is also a past president of the Indiana Jazz Education Association.
In February 2009, Matt founded the Butler Youth Jazz Program and Butler Summer Jazz Camp. From these programs, students have progressed to study at some of the top music conservatories and colleges in the United States.
Matt is a Yamaha Artist.
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