In the midst of a vibrant musical scene in Chicago, trumpeter and composer Matt Holman has established himself as a creative composer and improviser throughout the United States and internationally. Matt has been the recipient of numerous awards, notably first prize in the 2004 International Trumpet Guild Jazz Competition in Denver, Colorado and second prize in the prestigious 2007 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition in Tucson, Arizona. Other honors include winning a Downbeat Magazine award as a member of Monk by Five (2004) and second prize in the National Trumpet Competition, Jazz Division (2004).

Matt recently performed with renown-pianist Fred Hersch in Chicago (Steppenwolf Theater) and in St Louis (Sheldon Concert Hall) that included vocalists Kurt Elling and Kate McGarry. In 2005, Matt was a selected performer at the International Association for Jazz Education Conference (IAJE) in Long Beach California. In 2004, Matt traveled to Canada to attend the Banff International Jazz Workshop under the direction of Dave Douglas. There, Matt was able to meet and collaborate with many musicians from all over the world. Soon after this residency, Matt relocated to Chicago to explore music and improvisation with some of the creative musicians from Banff.

Over the years Matt has performed and/or recorded with diverse artists including Fred Hersch, David Baker’s IU Jazz Ensemble, the Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, the Tucson Jazz Orchestra, the Bloomington Pops Orchestra, Fred Simon, Zach Brock, the Chicago Afrobeat Project, Jordan Baskin, Ken Arlen’s Music Consultants, the Stone-Bratt Big Band, M13, Matt Ulery’s “Loom”, Bob Newhart, the Lakeshore Brass Quintet, Human Motion, and on the Jerry Springer Show. He has performed in ensembles that have opened concerts for Linda Ronstadt, Faye Robinson, Liquid Soul, Marcus Belgrave, David Sanchez, Randy Brecker, AACM reedist Joseph Jarman, Wesley Willis, and punk-rock deities Fugazi. Past professional highlights include performances at Carnegie Hall, Steppenwolf Theater, Knitting Factory (NYC), The Green Mill, The Bellagio, and Constitution Hall.

An active and sought-after composer, Matt has frequent commissions for his melodic and dramatic pieces, and has composed works for Marvin Stamm, Ed Soph, Marie Speziale, Dominic Spera, David Baker, Mercer University, The National Music Conservatory (Costa Rica), Pat Harbison, and the 2004 Indiana All-State High School Jazz Ensemble. In addition, Matt has composed and arranged numerous pieces for high school and college groups across the country. He has composed for and led groups that appeared on the recordings 2003 Live from Bloomington and Preservation Records: Project Bloomington.

Matt is also extremely dedicated to teaching young artists. He maintains a busy private music studio throughout Chicago-land. Matt has been involved with education programs in middle schools and high schools (Musical Arts Youth Center Jazz Combo Program). He has also been a staff member at the Birch Creek Performance Center in Egg Harbor, WI, the Indianhead Arts Center in Shell Lake, WI, and the Whitewater (WI) Summer Jazz Camp.

Performing in a wide range of musical ensembles, Matt's latest project, Matt Holman's Diversion Ensemble is an exciting group featuring accessible yet thoughtful original compositions fusing elements of rock, classical, and jazz music. The ensemble performers are Matt Holman (trumpet), Jim Gailloreto (saxophones), Matt Ulery (bass), Rob Clearfield (keyboard), and Jon Deitemyer (drums). Some of Chicago's new generation of creative artists, ensemble members currently perform with Zach Brock, Kurt Elling, Patricia Barber, Fred Hersch, Fareed Haque, Grazyna Auguscik, and Goran Ivanovic. Matt holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University, graduating in 2004 with high distinction and the prestigious Performer's Certificate. Matt has studied under the guidance of Dr. David Baker, Dominic Spera, Pat Harbison, Marie Speziale, William Adam, and Laurie Frink.