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Matthew Halpin

Dublin-born saxophonist and composer Matthew Halpin is currently based in Vienna and has been appointed professor for jazz saxophone at Music and Arts Private University of Vienna. Aside from his pedagogical activities at the university and having taught masterclasses around Europe, USA, Asia and Central America, he works with various ensembles from Ireland, Germany and Austria and tours internationally as a saxophonist.

Matthew often leads projects under his own name and and co-leads several bands, including "Last Chance Dance" and "Roamer". Currently he plays as a sideman with Hendrika Entzian, Maximilian Stadtfeld (STAX) and Jakob Helling. He has also worked with larger ensembles such as the NDR Bigband, WDR Bigband, RTE National Concert Orchestra, Jakob Helling Concert Bigband, Subway Jazz Orchestra, and the Cologne Contemporary Jazz Orchestra.

Since 2013, Matthew has been composing on a regular basis for many of his own projects. His composition style is unique, distinctive and often braggadocios. Past releases that feature his compositions are: "Shadow Loves the Sun" by The Owl Ones and "Last Chance Dance" by Last Chance Dance trio and "Agreements" with his own group. His compositions are also featured with the groups Gamerz, Modern Men, Roamer and Spilt Milk. Halpin's debut album "Agreements" was released in 2021 on Frutex Tracks and features the four fantastic musicians Kit Downes, Hanno Busch, Sean Carpio and Sergio Martinez.

Matthew has performed at the Blue Note and Dizzy’s Jazz Club in New York, WDR Jazzfestival, Stadtgarten Cologne, Porgy & Bess, Vienna, the Panama Jazz Festival, the Monterrey Jazz Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival, Northsea Jazzfestival, the National Concert Hall of Ireland, the Galway Jazz Festival, Cork Jazz Festival, Katjazz Festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, the Berklee Performance Center and the Kennedy Center. He performs more frequently in small, smelly, bars, pubs and jazz clubs.