Ken Matthews

Ken Matthews began playing clarinet in middle school and learned saxophone while in high school, performing with both the symphonic and marching bands. Ken qualified consistently for regional and VA state bands. While at Virginia Tech, he continued performing with the Marching Virginians until graduation. He then spent 25 years in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, performing regularly with military and other professional musicians as a sideman in several bands. He has toured in New Zealand and Italy. He has also performed at jazz festivals in Guatemala, Colombia and France. Most recently Ken has been a member of the Lynchburg Community Jazz Band, the Charlottesville Band and is a regular member of Roanoke Band Cinematheque as well as leading his own band, Ken's Rhythm Changers. Ken travels and works often with young musicians in rural Colombia, providing instruction and instruments to ensure a successful music program. Ken teaches both saxophone and clarinet.