Matt,

you had an incredibly positive and formative impact on my time at Brown. Thinking back on my years in the Brown Jazz Band (and the Applied Music Program), I am filled with overwhelming gratitude for the support, resources and opportunities that you provided to me and my peers. Not only did you serve as a wonderful bandleader, bringing your deep knowledge of and passion for the music, but you also made the jazz program so robust in myriad other ways. The many world-class guest artists you brought in — Melissa Aldana, Kurt Rosenwinkel, the Diva Jazz Orchestra all come to mind — were such a source of inspiration and encouragement to me as a young musician. Your support of the Jazz Jams and the extracurricular jazz scene more widely was also so deeply appreciated. And of course, the tours that you organized for us (in my case, to Ponta Delgada and Havana) were some of the most unique, joyful and educational experiences of my life, ones that I will cherish forever. The community that you helped foster — built on commitment, excellence, respect, trust, as well as a spirit of fun — allowed me to grow so much as a musician and young woman, and produced many of my closest friendships that have endured and even flourished post-Brown. I’ve even managed to continue to benefit directly from your extremely giving spirit after graduating by way of your much-appreciated letters of recommendation and the wonderful 2019 Brown Jazz Reunion, another event for the ages. Matt, congratulations on an amazing tenure at Brown and know that your legacy as a remarkable scholar, educator, musician, mentor and friend will endure! Thank you so much for all the ways you have helped me grow and thrive.

– Bryn Bliska, Class of 2014

photo at top: Bryn Bliska & Jamie Fried’s Senior Recital in 2014