As a young artist, Garcia has garnered widespread national recognition for his exceptional skills and distinctive saxophone playing. At 16, Matthew was chosen by Carnegie Hall to embark on a tour of South Africa as part of the National YouthOrchestra (Jazz). The following year, he was again selected for Carnegie Hall's National Youth Orchestra, bringing him to New York. During that summer, he had the opportunity to learn, perform, and collaborate with renowned musicians such as Sean Jones, Wycliffe Gordon, Allison Miller, Matthew Stevens, Erica Von Kleist, Tanya Darby, Mimi Jones, and Melissa Aldana. Moreover, Matthew achieved the honor of being named a Young Arts National Finalist in 2022, earning a cash prize of $5,000. This accolade also provided him with the opportunity to collaborate with some of the finest young musicians from around the world. Currently enrolled at New York University, Matthew continues to pursue his musical endeavors under the guidance of esteemed instructors such as Dave Pietro, Ron Mclure, Billy Drummond, Rich Perry, and Lenny White. During his time at NYU, Matthew was selected for the prestigious JAS Academy Big Band, led by legendary bassist Christian Mcbride. His NYU ensemble was also handpicked by judges of the NYU combo competition to travel to Costa Rica, performing at prestigious venues and teaching. As a working musician, Matthew has recently performed at iconic venues such as the Village Vanguard, Blue Note, and the Provincetown Playhouse.

Matthew Garcia - Tenor Sax, Antonio Atsuya Mollura - Trumpet, Teddy Kingsbury - Piano, Bass - TBD, Mikkel Vuust - Drumset

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Photograph: ‘Cecily W’