Willie Matheis

Raised in Bellingham, Washington, Willie first studied the saxophone at age 11 with multi-reed instrumentalist Ray Downey. In 1996, he attended Western Washington University studying jazz improvisation, arranging, and playing regularly with Chuck Israels (former bassist with the Bill Evens Trio and musical director of the National Jazz Ensemble, now known as the Lincoln Center Orchestra), and taking private lessons with B.C. saxophonist Mike Allen. Receiving a Laurels Scholarship in 1999, Willie went on to study at Portland State University. There he studied jazz improvisation and arranging with pianist Darrell Grant and private lessons with saxophonists Rob Scheps, John Gross, and Scott Hall.

Having painstakingly developed himself as a stylistically versatile musician and an individualistic improviser, Willie has enjoyed an exciting career as one of the Northwest‘s premier saxophonists. Being no stranger to the road, he has toured the United States and Europe with such groups as the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, the Darrell Grant Quartet: Truth and Reconciliation, Intervision, and Todd Bishop’s Pop Art 4. As a regular member, guest artist or top call sub, Willie has played with such groups and artists as the Dan Faehnle Quartet (hard bob/jazz), the Andrew Oliver Sextet (original progressive jazz), Bobby Torres Quartet (latin jazz), the Stolen Sweets (trad jazz), the Pete Krebs Trio (gypsy jazz, swing), David Ornette Cherry (free jazz), Soul Vaccination (soul, R&B, funk), Miriam’s Well (rock), Debra Arlyn (singer song writer), the Portland Jazz Orchestra (repertoire big band), the Rob Scheps Big Band, the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble (original compositions and arrangements, large ensemble), the Tony Starlight Orchestra (classic stage band).

As an educator, Willie began his teaching career in 2000 through a non-profit organization called MUSE Inc, directing students ages 10 through 15 in beginning and intermediate band at St. Clair School. In 2002 he began teaching privately through another non-profit, Ethos Inc, and since has also taught through Beacock Music in Vancouver, Lake Music in Lake Oswego, and his own home in northeast Portland. Over the past two years he has been a guest and has given clinics on improvisation at Central Oregon Community College, in Bend.

Willie gives lessons for saxophone (all levels), flute and clarinet (beginner and intermediate), improvisation and music theory. The age of his students have ranged from children (10yrs) to adults, all of varying ability and learning style. Having fun and feeling a sense of accomplishment is integral to any learning endeavor. His philosophy is to help the student develop a personal relationship to their instrument, and concept of music and improvisation.

Awards

"Laurels Scholarship" recipient, Portland State University 1999 "Featured Musician of the Month," Jazz Society of Oregon June 2008

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