Bio
Jazz guitarist Matt Heister has performed across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. His career highlights include:
Duets with legendary guitarists Larry Coryell, Peter Bernstein and Barry Greene.
Performances in New York City jazz clubs such as Kenny’s Castaways, The Bar Next Door, Tomi Jazz, Shrine and Somethin’ Jazz.
A 5-year stint playing in the U.S. Air Force Band.
2014 - Performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
2016 - Collaborative concert with members of Jazz at Lincoln Center in Doha, Qatar.
2017 - Tour through all major cities of Ukraine.
2018 - Concert at Philharmonic Hall in Szczecin, Poland.
2019 - Performances and masterclasses in Addis Abba, Ethiopia.
From 2021-2022, Matt taught private lessons at NYU as an Adjunct Instructor, where he earned his Advanced Artist Diploma. In 2020, he earned his Masters degree in Jazz Studies from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, NYC.
Between 2017 and 2019, Matt was a member of The U.S. Air Forces in Europe Jazz Band, located in Germany. With this group he toured extensively throughout Europe and Africa, performing in Germany, France, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Serbia, Kosovo, Czech Republic, Montenegro and Ethiopia.
In 2016, Matt severed as Musical Director of a 5-piece jazz group while touring Southwest Asia in Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Afghanistan.
From 2014 to 2017, Matt was a member of The U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, located in California. As both the guitarist and MC for the jazz big band, The Commanders, Matt toured extensively through California, Arizona and Nevada, playing at the finest performing arts centers, auditoriums and festivals on the West Coast. He gave masterclasses at Sonoma State College, Delta College and numerous performing arts high schools as well as provided educational outreach to middle schools and elementary schools.
Prior to joining the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, Matt lived in New York City. Here he performed in Manhattan’s world-renowned jazz clubs and studied at The New School, in Greenwich Village. He received his bachelor’s degree in Jazz and Contemporary Music in 2014. His teachers included Peter Bernstein, Jonathan Kreisberg, Vic Juris, Rory Stuart, Hal Galper, Bill Kirchner and Reggie Workman.
From 2009–2014 Matt served as both Director of Jazz and Radio Show Host for 89.5FM WFIT in Melbourne, FL. His weekly jazz program "Freedom in the Groove" featured interviews with living jazz legends including Joel Frahm, Jonathan Kreisberg, Randy Johnston, Bill Kirchner, Gene Perla, Sheryl Bailey, Steve Cardenas, LeeAnn Ledgerwood, Adam Larson, Peter Zak, Spike Wilner and numerous others.