Matt Otto is a highly accomplished saxophonist, composer, and educator with a diverse musical background spanning over four decades. He holds a BFA from The New School for Social Research and an MFA from California Institute of the Arts, having also studied at Indiana University and Berklee School of Music. His mentors include George Garzone, Bill Pierce, Lee Konitz and Don Hawkins. Currently serving as the tenured Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at Kansas University, Otto teaches Jazz Theory and Performance, directs the top Jazz Combo and provides private Jazz study. His international experience includes living and performing in Japan, New York City, and Los Angeles, as well as performing in Germany, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal which has significantly influenced his musical perspective. Throughout his career, Otto has collaborated with an impressive array of renowned artists, including Anthony Wilson, Larry Koonse, Rashid Bakr, Ben Monder, Wada Leo Smith, Willie Jones III, Alan Ferber, Mark Ferber, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Gregory Hutchinson, Charlie Haden , Joe La Barbera, Junior Mance, Leroy Vinegar, Jimmy Smith, Ari Honig, Ben Street, Mike Moreno, Danny Weiss, Steve Cardenas, Larry Goldings, Eric Harland, Sheryl Bailey, Darek Oles, Erik McPherson and many others. He has performed with the Grammy-nominated Anthony Wilson Nonet and Alan Ferber Big Band, showcasing his versatility as both a leader and sideman. As a prolific recording artist, Otto has appeared on over 50 CD project. His discography includes several albums as a leader on labels such as Origin, Noir, and Jazz Collective Records. Notable recordings include "Iberica" (2017), which received 4.5 stars from All About Jazz, and "Soliloquy" (2016), earning 4 stars. In addition to his performance and recording career, Otto co-founded the Los Angeles Jazz Collective, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for creative jazz composers and performers. His commitment to jazz education and outreach has made him a respected figure in the field, offering valuable insights to aspiring musicians through his teaching and performances.