With confidence, lyricism, and a tonality that is suffused in warmth, saxophonist   Matt Garrison fervently pursues the art-form of jazz as reflected in his own words,   "I like to think that I am a translator of sorts. A jazz musician, in my opinion, is   supposed to interpret the world around them and convert those situations and   feelings into music." This is the essence of Garrison's voice and music.        Born on May 20th, 1979 in Poughkeepsie, New York, Matthew Gordon Garrison   grew up in a household that was absent of the sounds of Miles, Coltrane, and other   jazz musicians; instead the music of Doo Wop, 1960s rock and roll, and 1980s   contemporary tunes found precedence.        Though Garrison's parents weren't musicians, he attributes his creativity and   imagination to his mother (a superb quilter and crafts maker) and his technical and   mathematical gifts to his father (a skilled draftsman and CADAM designer) as the   core ingredients in his acumen as a jazz artist.        After taking an early interest in the saxophone in school, the spark was ignited, as   well as some minor obstacles, as Garrison remembers humorously, "I started to get   into trouble with some of my teachers for changing some of the music in the   concert band while playing. I wanted to add my own ideas to the charts and that's   when I started to get into the idea of improvisation."        Through hard work and determination, he excelled and went on to earn, both   Bachelors and Masters degrees (including the Anthony Newman Award, given to   one exceptional jazz major) at Purchase Conservatory of Music in Westchester   New York where he studied with Javon Jackson, Ralph Lalama, Hal Galper, Todd   Coolman, and Jon Faddis.        As a seasoned professional, Garrison has gigged or recorded with various players   of note--the late Dennis Irwin, Pete Malinverni, Adam Nussbaum, Eliot Zigmund,   Sam Yahel, Jeff Hirshfield, Jon Cowherd, Andy Laverne--and was once in a band   with trumpeter great, Ray Vega. Garrison continues to establish himself and thrive   in a variety of settings and states, "I am never satisfied with stopping the search for   a better way to express myself."        His pursuit has been witnessed in performances at area venues in Brewster, NY at   Uncle Cheef, Philadelphia at Chris's Jazz Cafe, and Smalls and Smoke in New   York City. His own music came into fruition first with an album of original   compositions entitled "Familiar Places", featuring an illustrious band of seasoned   and newer names with Michael Dease (trombone), Bruce Harris (trumpet), ZaccaiCurtis (piano), Luques Curtis (bass) Rodney Green (drums), Claudio Roditi   (trumpet / flugelhorn), and Mark Whitfield (guitar). He released a second album in   May 2012, which featured six of his original songs and one arranged standard. The   album entitled "Blood Songs" featured Greg Gisbert on trumpet and Michael   Dease on trombone, who also contributed one composition each. A special guest   spot by master tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander is supported by the rhythm   section of Roy Assaf, Dezron Douglas, and Ulysses Owens Jr, piano, bass, drums,   respectively. Garrison released his third album in March 2014 entitled   "Patchwork”. This album features the exceptionally talented vocalist Melissa   Morgan covering songs by Beck, Don McLean, Lee Morgan, and Matt Garrison   originals.        Garrison’s band “The Terranean Tinge” was created in October of 2016 and   focused on a synthesis of jazz, mediterranean, and hip hop influences. An album   was recorded in August of 2018 and can be found on YouTube under the handle,   The Terranean Tinge, where there are listenable examples.        Matt continues to play and perform in Westchester County where he resides and is   a current member of several bands including “The Library Jazz Band” which is a   big band comprised of professionals from Westchester as well as Rockland County.        Currently, Garrison is playing with an touring with his newest project band   entitled, “The Hudson Calls”. The music showcases a unique dedication and   tribute to various river towns and features throughout the Hudson Valley. Each   song projects a distinctive musical style ranging from jazz to folk to ska, and the   colors and textures were carefully curated and divided within the instrumentation   of each piece.        At home and abroad, Matt enjoys exploring unconventional instrumentation with   wife and violinist Emily Garrison. Together they formed Scroll & Reed in 2019, a   duo which features unique arrangements of jazz standards and pop tunes, as well as   original compositions.   Please find Matt's YouTube page or follow the link to take a listen.   https://www.youtube.com/@halfstepmatt