Matt Davis is a renowned guitarist, teacher, and composer based in the Philadelphia region who’s music and guitar playing are both characterized as nuanced, genre-defying, versatile and extremely dynamic.

  Hailed as “Inspired” by Downbeat magazine, “incredible” by the Philadelphia Daily News, and “eloquent” by Jazztimes Magazine, Matt’s original large jazz group, called Aerial Photograph, has released five albums and performs in and around the tri-state area. Matt has shared the stage with notable musicians such as Odean Pope, Tyrone Brown, Mickey Roker, Dave Liebman, Paulina Oliveros, John Swana, Jon Hollenbeck, and many others. He is a recipient of numerous awards and honors including grants from ASCAP, the American Composers Forum, Chamber Music America, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and The National Parks Service. 

      Matt loves to teach and has taught students of all ages and levels of ability since his high school years. He currently serves as Adjunct Associate Professor of Jazz Guitar Performance, Chair of the Guitar Department at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and has previously taught at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege program, University of Pennsylvania, The New York Pops, The Ronald McDonald House (teaching pediatric cancer patients and their families) and through his own private music studio. He has conducted masterclasses on subjects such as sight reading, improvisation, comping, playing walking bass lines with chords, harmony, and advanced rhythm studies across the US as well as in Mexico, South Korea and China.

       In addition to having studied under the notable jazz educator Dennis Sandole, Matt also earned his bachelor’s degree in jazz guitar from Temple University in Philadelphia, and his Masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music. He has performed across the United States and abroad in Europe, China, South Korea, India and the greater Mexico City region. Additionally, Matt is a published author, having had his writings on jazz music published in magazines such as Downbeat and Jazziz. He is currently endorsed by Godin Guitars. For more information, please visit www.mattdavisguitar.com