Matthew Steckler

Performer on Woodwinds, Vocals, Keyboards Composer/Arranger for Concert, Film, Theatre, Licensing Educator in Jazz/Popular Music, Composition, Theory & History ASCAP/ACF/AMC/CMA/CMS Member 250 23rd Street • Brandon, MB R7B 1V4 • Canada [email protected] www.mattsteckler.com • mobile (718) 916-9203

EDUCATION

New York University Ph.D. in Music Composition, Spring 2013. Recipient of NYU Global Research Initiative Dissertation Fellowship, Florence (It.) 2012. M.A. in Music Composition from Steinhardt School of Education, May 2007 Academic Departmental Distinction Award in Composition and Theory Winner: Departmental Composition Competition (2008) Composition with Justin Dello Joio, Jerica Oblak, Jim McNeely, Marc Consoli, Dinu Ghezzo Studies with Ira Newborn & Ron Sadoff (film scoring), Panos Mavromatis & Anton Vishio (theory) 1st Chair Alto Sax in Jazz Orchestra; performances with Joe Lovano, Jon Hendricks, Lee Konitz.

New England Conservatory of Music M.M. in Jazz Saxophone Performance with academic honors, 1999 Performance studies with Jerry Bergonzi, Danilo Perez, Cecil McBee, Paul Bley Studies with Lee Hyla (orchestration), Richard Hoffman (theory), George Russell (theory), Everett Longstreth (arranging). 1st Chair Alto Sax in Jazz Orchestra; performances with Marty Ehrlich, George Lewis, Gunther Schuller, George Russell.

Wesleyan University Bachelor of Arts with Departmental Honors in Music, May 1997. Studies with Anthony Braxton (Composition), Neely Bruce (theory), Melvin Strauss (conducting), Jon Barlow (theory and music history), T. Viswanathan (Indian music), Peter Standaart (flute). Winner of Wesleyan Concerto Competition. 1st Chair Alto Sax in Jazz Orchestra directed under Jay Hoggard.

Additional Studies and Professional Development Jazz Education Network Conference, New Orleans, 2020. BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, 2009-11. NYS Arts Summit Conference, 2009. NYC Department of Education Workshops: NY Philharmonic, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 2005. IAJE and CMA Conference, 2004. Plaza Cuba Program at Havana National Conservatory, February 2002. Simmons College Teacher Institute, 2000. Internship in Arts Administration at American Symphony Orchestra, Fall 1994. Internship in Arts Administration at Composers Recordings, Inc. Fall 1994. Private Saxophone Studies with Thomas Chapin, 1994-96. Private Saxophone Studies with Nick Brignola, 1991-92.

PROFESSIONAL TEACHING & ORGANIZATION

Higher Education

Brandon University School of Music. Assistant Professor in Saxophone/Jazz Studies, 2017-20. Coursework taught: Advanced Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Composition, Aural Skills & Keyboard, History of Jazz, Grad Seminar in Performance Lit., private studio and ensembles. Colleagues with Michael Cain, Eric Platz, Greg Gatien, Keith Price, Leanne Zacharias, Pat Carrabré, Meg Masaki, Catherine Wood, Ed Bach, Kerry DuWors. Additional professional activity: • Clinician/recruiter at area high schools, school division jazz workshops, provincial honour band, BU Open House and Brandon Jazz Festival • BU Research Council grant for new research/recording in embodied composition • Music education and graduate programs collaboration (conference presentation; co-teaching; student teaching faculty supervision) • Committee work: tenure & promotions, performance auditions, scholarships, jazz program long-term strategy, music library acquisitions, senate research, international activities • Juror for end-term juries, recitals, entrance auditions & festival competitions • Participant/organizer in several community performances, jam sessions and visiting artist clinics • Substitute instructor for big band and other improvisation classes

Bennington College. Substitute Instructor in Jazz Theory & Performance, Spring 2015.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Adjunct Faculty in Music, Fall 2012. Music Theory & Aural Skills: Developed a syllabus drawing on Common Practice and jazz/popular music texts, online instructional technologies, group activities and student works. History of Jazz: Implemented journal-based discussions, contemporary criticism, concert reviews and group presentations to supplement text readings.

New York University. Adjunct Faculty in Music. 2010-2014. Private Studio in Composition: Taught undergraduate majors and non-majors, focusing on harmony/counterpoint, orchestration, issues in electroacoustic music and multimedia, songwriting, film scoring, repertoire analysis and career counsel.

Bergen Community College. Adjunct Faculty in Music. 2010-2013. Careers in Music: Facilitated examination of contemporary issues affecting the music industry, including 360 deals, copyrights, licensing, social media promotion, etc.; as well as a survey of current career options available to students. Emphasis on group research and presentations. Music Appreciation: Led a survey course in the world’s musical cultures, with an emphasis on critical listening and analysis, music’s functional and social contexts, and historical movements. Applied Music: Taught lessons in saxophone technique, repertoire and improvisation.

University of Iowa. Visiting artist ensemble. Taught performance of own original works and facilitated application of compositional/group improvisational strategies. 2003/2011.

University of Northern Iowa. Visiting artist ensemble. Taught performance of own original works and facilitated application of compositional/group improvisational strategies and evaluated student combos on their performance and arrangements. 2011.

Union College. Visiting artist. Conducted a master class in a professional ensemble and assisted in student work realizations. 2007.

Longy School of Music. Recurring visiting artist in composition. Realized original works with student performers. 2003-present.

Washington University (St. Louis). Visiting artist ensemble. Taught performance of own original works and facilitated discussion of compositional/group improvisational strategies. 2003.

Salem State University (Salem, MA). North American Saxophone Alliance Region 8 Conference – workshop and performance with Dead Cat Bounce, March 2013. Musical director of summer theatre and alumni productions, 2002-03; 2009.

New England Conservatory. Guest lecturer in music business. Offered perspectives drawn from own experiences in the music industry as an ensemble leader and promoter. 2001.

Wesleyan University. Teaching assistant in Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Arranging and Elementary Russian. 1995-96. Ensemble assistant for Roswell Rudd residency 1996.

Papers Embodied Music Composition: Uncovering Layers of Meaning Through a Collaborative Process. BU Research Connection. 2019.

Dissertation: The Play Space in Embodied Composition: A Study of Social Process in the Creation of Music for Improvisers. 2012.

Better Ourselves From Without/Within: Relevant Utopian Jazz Interventions in an Age of Globalization. 2008.

An Eclectic Phenomenological Analysis: Music from Once Upon a Time in The West, Sunset Boulevard, Delicatessen. 2008.

Expressing the Inexpressible: Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 as Inner-Narrative. 2006.

The Cuban Guaguancó and its Popularizations in Socio-Economic Context. 2006.

Lectures

Brandon University (2017) and Framingham State University (2014): Embodied Composition – Indeterminacy Reimagined?

New York University-Steinhardt School Collegium. Proposal for The Play Space in Embodied

Composition: A Study of Social Process in the Creation of Music for Improvisers. 2009.

New York University – Steinhardt School Colloquy in Music. Collective Improvisational Strategies and Energy Transference in the Music of Braxton and Zorn. 2007.

Secondary School Instruction

The Dorset School. Music Teacher/Department Chair at one of the top-ranked K-8 schools in VT. Led band, choral & general music instruction, concert production, committee and volunteer service, curriculum design, purchasing. Green Hills Music Camp Co-Director. 2014-present.

Urban Assembly High School of Music & Art. Music Teacher at forward-thinking NYCDOE public high school. Directed a project/portfolio-based curriculum in music performance, theory and technology/production. Coordinated performances with part-time XStudio Arts Faculty. 2013- 14.

Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. Band & woodwind Faculty: P.S. 29, I.S. 171. 2009-2013.

Children’s Aid Society. Jazz ensemble coach at Harlem Milbank and Drew Hamilton Centers. 5 performances annually both on and off-site: (Radio City Music Hall, Museo Del Barrio). Partnership with Jazz Museum of Harlem. 2008-2013.

Education Through Music. General music instructor K-8 at St. Anthony’s School in the Bronx. Extensive workshop training year round incorporating Orff, Kodaly methods. On-site original student composition projects recorded and performed. Extensive solfege instruction using American and world music repertories. Cross-curricular instruction through music. 2006-08.

NYC Public Schools. Band, choral and general music instructor grades 5-12 at Queens Gateway School. Chaired planning, purchasing and implementation for a new music department. Recruited and directed the band and chorus in the school’s incipient performance program. Wrote & taught a pioneering general music curriculum on multiculturalism, music-in-technology, music fundamentals, composition to 300 students. Gained support from VH1/Save the Music and Digidesign. PD from school and citywide mentorships and seminars. 2004-06.

Cambridge Public Schools. Music instructor 5-7, 9-12. Taught & directed citywide performances in instrumental & vocal music, jazz and synthesizers. Organized, publicized and curated three international music festivals. Offered academic advisement and student recruitment services. Obtained grant support from Target, Inc. and the Mark Sandman Foundation. Contributed on state standard-based curriculum development committees. 2000-03.

Event Organization

NEC Learning Through Music Program. Administrative coordinator. Organized and facilitated first annual International LTM Conference. Conducted research, class instruction and curriculum development for various education programs. Maintained a budget of grant funding from private

and federal sources, tracked new grant proposals. Facilitated placement of specialist instructors in school programs. Recruited educators & supervised staff for visiting artist series. 1999-2000.

HONORS

Brandon University New Faculty Research Grant (2018) Manitoba Film & Music Recording & Production Fund (2018) BU Mary Smart Development Fund (2019) Brandon Chamber Players Concert Series (2019) Support of world premiere, double album and research project in embodied composition

BMI Jazz Composers Workshop (2011) Official selection for concert presentation of Scent of Prey

American Composers Forum Jerome Fund (2010) Commission for electro-acoustic ensemble work Eco-Beat Heresy

American Music Center CAP Grant (2010) Commission revision for acoustic ensemble work Chance Episodes

NYU Creative Collaborations Grant (2009)

Composer Collaboration for Recording in J. Dolan Recording Facility

Chamber Music America New Works: Creation & Presentation Grant (2003) Original commission for Chance Episodes

Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Grant (2003)

Meet The Composer Commissioning Music/USA Grant (2002) Commission for chamber work Home Speaks To The Wandering

Boston Music Award (2002) Outstanding Jazz Act

Boston Phoenix Music Poll (2001-03) Best Local Jazz Honors

Jazz Composers Alliance Composition Contest (2002) Honorable Mention

Press Honors Downbeat (4 stars), Jazz Times, Washington Post, Chicago Reader, Boston Globe, Cadence, Signal To Noise, NYC Jazz Record, local press throughout US. Multiple Critic’s Picks. Ranked Among Top 10 CDs in Exclaim!, The Examiner, Daily Gazette. Top 50 CDs in Jazz Times 2011, Downbeat 2012.

Selected Broadcasts WNUR Chicago 89.3 FM – interview 2011. WMSE Milwaukee 91.7 FM – interview 2011. WCSB Cleveland 89.3 GM – interview 2011. WICN Worcester MA 90.5 FM – interview 2011. WEXT Albany NY 97.7 FM – interview 2011. Uncertainty Music – interview on Uncertainty Music Series podcast 2010. American Composers Forum – interview on Alive and Composing podcast 2009. WGBH Boston 89.7 FM - Dead Cat Bounce live radio performance on Jazz with Eric Jackson 2003. WBUR/NPR Affiliate - interview on Hear and Now 2002.

SELECTED CREDITS

Audio Production Ø Matty Stecks & Musical Tramps, Long Time Ago Rumble, release 2019 (jazz/pop/electroacoustic improv): composer/performer/producer Ø Alex Torres y Su Orquesta Latino Guarapo y Mermelada, 2019 (salsa/merengue): woodwinds & co-arranger Ø Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, Suite 150: A Big Band Portrait, 2018 (jazz): performer Ø Eric Hangen y La Ruta, Real You, Real Me 2018 (latin jazz): performer Ø News From Planet Kniffen new release 2018 (jazz): performer Ø Dead Cat Bounce, Persiflage (jazz combos) 1998-present: composer, bandleader and producer for releases on Cuneiform and Innova labels Ø MC Frontalot (nerdcore hip-hop) 2005-10: arranger and performer on select tracks Ø Brandon Patton (indie rock) 2002-09: arranger and performer on select tracks Ø Steve Songs (kids’ rock) 1997-2010: arranger and performer on select tracks Ø Sam Bigelow (blues-rock) 2007: arranger and performer on select tracks Ø Jazz Composers Alliance (jazz big band) 2002: performer on The Death of Simone Weil (Innova)

Concert Ø Escapist (jazz orchestra), Blue Note 2008: composer Ø Broadway ReNYUal (wind trio), NY Composers Circle 2008: composer Ø Circadians (NYU Symphony), Loewe Theatre 2008: composer Ø For Wally Pipp (electro-acoustic), Teatrul Operetta Bucharest 2006: composer Ø Rangda (Black Sea Symphony), International Music Days Constanta 2006: composer Ø Dead Cat Bounce (jazz combo), national jazz festivals and concert series 1998-present

Motion Picture Ø Hush, Little Baby (indie short by Monserrat Mendez) 2012 – composer Ø Hollywood Love Story (trailer for feature film by Terence Donnellan) 2010 - composer Ø Heart & Skull (short documentary by Lauren Kogen) 2007 – composer Ø Take Flight Uncertain (self-produced art film short) 2007 – composer Ø Funny Ha Ha (Independent Spirit winning feature by Andrew Bujalski) 2003 - composer

Theatre Ø Thoroughly Stupid Things (Mozz Mendez), NYC Fringe Fest 2008 – composer/sound designer Ø Estrogenius Festival (various one acts), Manhattan Theatre Source 2007 - composer Ø Cloud Nine (Caryl Churchill), Access Theatre 2006 – composer/sound designer

Games & Licensing Ø Sonic Legends (RPG music company) 2008-present: staff composer Ø FasTrack Composers (licensing company) 2010-present: staff composer Ø Pump Audio (licensing company) 2009-10: composer

SELECTED PERFORMANCES

Performers with whom I have worked: Anthony Braxton, Roswell Rudd, Lee Konitz, George Russell, Gary Smulyan, Lenny Pickett, Club D’Elf, Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis, Warren Smith, Alex Torres, Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, Jeff Presslaff, Keith Price, Tara Davidson, Al Kay, Miracle Orchestra, Ed Palermo Big Band, Jon Hendricks, Gary Morgan’s Panamerica, Vince Cherico, Jazz Composers Alliance, Sanford/Schumacher Sound Assembly, Head of State, Freddi Shehadi, Doran Danoff, Dinu Ghezzo, George Lewis, Steve Lacy, Bob Moses, Stephen Drury, Gunther Schuller, Corina Bartra, Jay Hoggard, Pheeroan Aklaff, Lonnie Plaxico, Michael Cain, Curtis Fowlkes, Neely Bruce, Randy Brecker, Corina Bartra, Jared Sims, Max Creek, Steve Songs, Darryl Kniffen, Grace Baptist Church, Marty Ehrlich, Made in the Shade, Bobby Sanabria, Billy Newman, Vanderlei Pereira, Greg Hopkins, MC Frontalot, Hank Lane Agency, Joey Thomas Big Band, Pete Sweeney, Eric Hangen, Eric Platz, Will Bonness.

Yardbird Suite, Edmonton AB, with Matty Stecks & Musical Tramps, May 2020.

Winnipeg Jazz Fest, with Ami Cheon, June 2019.

Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg MB, with Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, February/May/Oct 2018; April 2019. Special guests Papa Mambo, Al Kay/Chris Butcher.

BU New Music Festival, Brandon University, Talamander for sax & electronics, March 2019.

Chez Angela Mixtape Series, Brandon, MB, Matt Steckler Trio w/ Graydon Cramer & Matt Kozicki, Oct 2018. w/ Jeff Presslaff band, May 2019.

BU Pro Series, Brandon University, MB, with Tara Davidson/William Carn nonet, Sept 2018.

Forth Bar, Winnipeg, MB, Duo with Jeff Presslaff, August 2018.

Brandon Jazz Festival, Westman Centennial Auditorium, with Michael Cain’s Sola & Brandon Universtiy Big Band, March 2018.

Nuit Blanche, Brandon MB, with Steck’s Social House, January 2018.

Lorne Watson Recital Hall, Brandon University, MB, with Brandon Chamber Players, September 2017.

First Night Saratoga, Saratoga NY, with Alex Torres, December 2016.

Vermont Arts Exchange, Bennington VT, with Mowgli Giannitti Quintet, November 2016.

Vermont Jazz Center, Brattleboro VT, with Darryl Kniffen Sextet, February 2016.

NYS Fair, Syracuse NY, w/ Alex Torres y Su Orquesta Latino, September 2015.

Saratoga Museum of Dance, Saratoga NY, w/ Alex Torres, August 2015.

Albany Latin Fest, Albany NY, with Alex Torres y Su Orquesta Latino, July 2015.

Proctors Theatre, Schenectady NY, with Under the Streetlamp, October 2014.

The U.S.S. Intrepid, NYC, with Hank Lane Entertainment, December, 2013.

Cornelia St. Café, NYC, with Billy Newman Sexteto Brasileiro, August 2013.

Shapeshifter Lab, NYC, with Spaghettata di Suoni, July 2013.

Baha’i Center, NYC, with Corina Bartra Afro-Peruvian Jazz, June 2013.

Flushing Town Hall, NYC, with Corina Bartra Afro-Peruvian Jazz, May 2013.

La Sala at Cantina Royal, NYC, with Dead Cat Bounce, March 2012.

The Stone, NYC, with Dead Cat Bounce, November 2011.

Edgefest - Kerrytown Concert House, Ann Arbor MI, with Dead Cat Bounce, October 2011.

Heaven Gallery, Chicago, with Dead Cat Bounce, October 2011.

Walker West Music Academy, St. Paul MN, with Dead Cat Bounce, October 2011.

Audio for the Arts, Madison WI, with Dead Cat Bounce, October 2011.

The Sugar Maple, Milwaukee WI, with Dead Cat Bounce, October 2011.

Bela Dubby, Cleveland OH, with Dead Cat Bounce, October 2011.

Zebulon, Brooklyn, NY, with Doran & The Violents, October, 2011.

Brooklyn Conservatory Recital Hall, Brooklyn, NY, with Dead Cat Bounce, April 2011.

Southpaw, Brooklyn, NY, with Lavender Jones & The Dead Giveaways, March 2011.

Sycamore, Brooklyn, NY, with Tuba Pudding Pops February 2011; with Persiflage January 2012.

Proctors Theatre, upstate NY, with Dead Cat Bounce. January, 2011, March 2012 and 2013.

Joe’s Pub – NYC, with Bubble. October, 2010.

Barbés Stochastic Music Series, Brooklyn, NY, with Dead Cat Bounce. August, 2010.

AFM 802, NYC, with BMI Jazz Workshop. May, 2010.

RUCMA 269 Series, NYC, with SWIPE (Sound Writers in Performative Emergence) featuring Alex Waterman, Andrew Drury. April, 2010.

Regattabar, Cambridge MA, with Dead Cat Bounce. February, 2010.

The Stone, with SWIPE (Sound Writers in Performative Emergence) featuring Alex Waterman, Andrew Drury. November, 2009.

Douglas Street Music Collective, Brooklyn, NY, with Josh Sinton, Matt Moran, John Carlson, Michael Bates and Rob Garcia. May, 2009.

Salem State College, Salem, MA, musical direction for original adaptive musical based on the Andrews Sisters, Swinging Victory by Montserrat Mendez; with Bruno Raberg, Greg Hopkins, Rich Greenblatt, Tim Ray. May, 2010.

Bowery Poetry Club, NYC, with SWIPE feat. Mark Taylor, Joe Exley, Jason Kao Hwang and Carl Maguire. February, 2009.

Symphony Space, NYC, with SteveSongs. October, 2008.

Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA – with SteveSongs. October, 2008.

Cachaça, NYC, with Gary Morgan & Panamerica. September, 2008.

Blue Note, NYC, with NYU Jazz Orchestra featuring Randy Brecker. May, 2008.

Cachaça, NYC, with NYU, dir. Jim McNeely. May, 2008.

Cachaça, NYC, with NYU, dir. Lenny Pickett. December, 2007.

NYU Loewe Theatre, NYC, Trying To Connect, an Internet 2 multimedia collaboration with John Gilbert, Univ. CO/Boulder and Bergen Community College.

Brooklyn Bridge Park Summer Series, NYC, with Bobby Sanabria, Igor Atalita, Alex Hernandez and Brandon Patton. September, 2007.

Lincoln Center Out of Doors, NYC, with Wesleyan Steel Symphony and Gamelan Son of Lion, performing Henry Brandt’s Dormant Craters. August, 2007.

Tri-C Jazz Festival, Cleveland, OH, with Dead Cat Bounce. Billing with Medeski, Martin & Wood, John Scofield and Stanley Clarke. July, 2007.

Cornelia Street Café, NYC, Persiflage with Todd Neufeld, Chris Lightcap, Dan Weiss and Curtis Fowlkes. May, 2007.

Teatrul Operetta, Bucharest, Romania, Inter-Art Ensemble, featuring a solo performance by Matt Steckler. October, 2006.

Lyric Theatre, Constanta, Romania, Black Sea Symphony, for Constanta International Music Days. October, 2006.

Flint Jazz Festival, Flint, MI, with Dead Cat Bounce. August, 2006.

Sweet Rhythm, NYC, Persiflage with Lonnie Plaxico, Curtis Fowlkes, Michael Cain, Bruce Cox. February, 2006.

Kennedy Center Millenium Stage, Washington D.C., Persiflage with Lonnie Plaxico, Curtis Fowlkes, Michael Cain, Bruce Cox. February, 2006.

Tang Museum Upbeat Series, Skidmore College NY, with Dead Cat Bounce. August 2005.

Estate of Phil Jackson, Kalispell, MT, wedding performance. August, 2005.

Eyedrum Arts Center, Atlanta, GA, with Dead Cat Bounce. June, 2004.

Hennessey XO Jazz Festival, Shanghai, China, with Bill Carbone, Megan Demarest, Dan Berkson. Produced by Planetary Group. September, 2003.

Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, MN, with Dead Cat Bounce. February, 2003.

Urban Institute for Contemporary Art, Grand Rapids, MI, with Dead Cat Bounce. February, 2003.

New Haven Jazz Festival, N. Haven, CT, with Dead Cat Bounce. Billing with Los Hombres Calientes. September, 2002.

Key Maine Jazz Festival, Portland, ME, with Dead Cat Bounce. Billing with Bobby Watson and Joe Lovano. September 2002.

First Night Boston, Boston, MA, with Dead Cat Bounce. December 31, 2001.

Discover Jazz Fest, Halvorson’s, Burlington VT, with Dead Cat Bounce. June 2001.

The Paradise, Boston, MA, with Head of State (music of Fela Kuti) on bill with John Scofield. May, 2001.

Mass MoCA, N. Adams, MA, with Smokehouse Prophets, billed with James Cotton. New Year’s 1995.

Buttonwood Tree, Middletown, CT, with Anthony Braxton, Mario Pavone, Pheeroan Aklaff and friends. 1994: weekly performances throughout the year.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Digital Audio Workstations: Logic, Pro Tools, Digital Performer Digital Signal and Live Audio Processing: Ableton Live, Max/MSP, Reaktor, CSound Notation/Composition: Finale, Sibelius, Reason Sound Editors: Soundtrack Pro, Amadeus Pro, Audacity Multimedia Integration: QLab, iLife, Final Cut Hardware: Various Mix Consoles, A/D + D/A Converters, Studio Microphones, Various MIDI + OSC Controllers, Various Sample Libraries/Samplers, Audio Plug-ins, Macintosh Intel Platform Additional Proficiencies: FTP, HTML/Dreamweaver, physical computing (Arduino)