Matthew Jones

Biography

Described by Fanfare Magazine as ‘the finest violist since William Primrose’, Matthew enjoys a diverse performing and teaching career, equally at home as soloist or chamber musician playing both violin and viola, performing classical or contemporary repertoire or improvising. He gave a critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall recital debut in 2008, and until 2018 was a member of Ensemble MidtVest. Matthew was violist of the Badke String Quartet when they won the 2007 Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition.

Matthew is Head of Chamber Music and Professor of Viola at Guildhall School, having joined the School as Senior Tutor of String Chamber Music in 2011.

In recent years he has premiered concertos by Tolibkhon Shakhidi, Derek Ball and Gordon Crosse. Matthew has recorded twenty-three solo and chamber CDs, including five for Naxos which include ‘Britten: Reflections’ with pianist Annabel Thwaite, named Chamber CD of the Month by BBC Music Magazine. 

Born in Swansea, Matthew is also a composer, mathematics graduate and teacher of the Alexander Technique and Kundalini Yoga. In the capacity of Alexander and Yoga/Meditation teacher he has worked individually with more than 1600 musicians. Matthew frequently presents workshops on empowering musicians and enhancing performance, clients of which have included world-renowned conductors and soloists, world champion athletes and orchestras including the New World Symphony, Melbourne Symphony and the European Union Youth Orchestra. 

For more information, visit matt-jones.com