Matt has appeared with Bucky Pizzarelli, John Colianni, Ian Shaw, Norma Winstone and Peter King. He has recorded with Paz, Roadside Picnic, Itchy Fingers, NYJO, the Michael Garrick Big Band, Sax Appeal and Jamie Cullum. He won the Rising Star award in the 1997 BT British Jazz Awards, and the Matt Wates Sextet won the Best Small Group award in 2001.
“A truly remarkable young British alto saxophonist”
Dave Gelly, Observer
“A performer of boundless ability”
Ken Rattenbury, Crescendo
“The most swinging alto player on both sides of the Atlantic”
Duncan Lamont
“An incredibly talented musician and composer”
John Dankworth