Matt Vashlishan Biography
Matt Vashlishan is a saxophonist and multi-woodwind instrumentalist from northeast Pennsylvania, USA. He holds a DMA from the University of Miami, MM from William Paterson University and a BM from the Eastman School of Music, all in saxophone performance. Matt is the Jazz Program Coordinator and Curator of the Al Cohn Memorial Jazz Collection at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, the Jazz Ensemble Director at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, and Instructor of Jazz Saxophone at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
Matt directs the Water Gap Jazz Orchestra (previously the Phil Woods COTA Festival Orchestra) in Delaware Water Gap, PA, which is a professional large jazz ensemble comprised of local and international professionals, and performs with many other groups and projects in the Tri-State area. In December of 2021, he directed the WDR Big Band in Cologne, Germany performing "A Phil Woods Legacy."
He is a skilled instrumentalist with professional ability to perform on alto and soprano saxes, piccolo, flute, alto flute, clarinet, and the Akai EWI (electric wind instrument). He composes original music for small and large jazz ensembles as well as writing arrangements for these groups.
Matt endorses Selmer saxophones, Drake mouthpieces, D’Addario reeds and instrument cables, and BG France ligatures.
Sax Gadgets Information
About Sax Gadgets
Sax Gadgets was created in 2018 by saxophonist Matt Vashlishan. Interested in many different activities besides music, Matt quickly found an interest in woodworking and immediately began experimenting with creating different types of saxophone plugs. He can best be described as an "equipment person" who is always interested in a new horn, mouthpiece, ligature, or any type of accessory. The original Selmer blackwood plugs are an inspiration for him, but Matt feels the color and new shapes of his exotic wooden end plugs add beauty and contrast to the metal saxophone body. In addition to end plugs, Sax Gadgets is the creator of the original variable weight neck screw, the Vari-Screw.
The Original Sax Plugs
Sax Plugs are obviously reminiscent of the old Selmer plugs that accompanied all the vintage horns. This concept remained un-tapped on a large scale until Matt began experimenting with exotic woods and various designs.
Plug Fit
To ensure a proper fit, Sax Plugs are made with Selmer and Yamaha in mind. However, the cork can be sanded to accommodate nearly every model saxophone. Apply a small amount of cork grease to the cork and rub it in. After this application, the cork will form to the size of the horn and last a very long time. If needed, any repair man can sand the cork further. If you are interested in a particular size, please email using the contact page the exact inner diameter of the tenon receiver in 1/1000 inch.
International Shipping
If you do not live in the United States, you must also add the item "International Shipping" to your shopping cart before checking out. Due to rising shipping costs I can not longer ship internationally for free.