Middle school teacher ignited Matt Belsante’s love of jazz

Matt Belsante didn’t grow up planning to be a professional musician, but fans of the critically acclaimed jazz artist are glad he did.

“The thing I enjoy most about performing (this type of) music, is that I get to perform in front of audiences who really appreciate the music and songwriting,” said Belsante, a 2003 graduate of Neuqua Valley High School. “It’s great to get to invoke some sort of nostalgia for people who don’t get to hear these songs on a regular basis.”

Now a resident of Nashville, Belsante, 30, writes and sings jazz, pop and swing music similar in style to the crooners of the 1940s and 1950s.

“The music that I sing is timeless,” said Belsante, who graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2006 with degrees in engineering science and economics. “Songs of today are not written in any way like the Great American Songbook, and to get to sing such great melodies and well-crafted lyrics is truly a privilege.”

The crooner said it’s also a special experience to perform with big bands.

“I truly love every opportunity I have to stand in front of one,” he said. “It’s a very rare experience, even as a jazz singer, and I find it to be incredibly powerful.”

Belsante got an early start as a saxophonist, and continued playing while a student at Gregory Middle School.

“If it weren’t for Mrs. (Emily) Binder, I likely never would have played in big bands or fallen in love with jazz,” he said.

Binder, who now teaches at Neuqua, said she has many fond memories of her former student playing tenor in their jazz ensemble as both a section player and a soloist.

“Matt always approached his music with a commitment to being creative, expressive and excellent,” Binder said. “I am not surprised by Matt’s success as I always knew he would be great at whatever he put his mind to.”

Belsante said once he was hooked on jazz as a middle school student, he continued to pursue his passion under the direction of Neuqua Valley teacher Jonathan Lauff.

“The two of them (Binder and Lauff) had an enormous impact on me as a musician and as a person,” Belsante said. “I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from each of them.”

He soon found he was a talented singer, and at Neuqua, won the Louis Armstrong Jazz award in both vocal and instrumental categories.

Belsante returned to Naperville March 20 as the featured performer at the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation’s evening gala, Inspire 204. Along with Belsante’s performance, the evening celebration featured selections from Metea, Neuqua and Waubonsie music programs.

“I’m thrilled to get to see my teachers again and to hear the great ensembles that Naperville schools support,” said Belsante. “It’s truly a rare and special place for kids to learn about music and to have the opportunity to be challenged. It will also be great to go back to Neuqua and see how it’s changed.”

Binder said Belsante is an example of the district’s mission, which is “to inspire all students to achieve their greatest potential.”

“Matt took full advantage of not only the academic rigor, but the numerous opportunities the district offered to think critically, communicate, be creative and collaborative through the fine arts,” Binder said. “Matt was a beneficiary of the incredible gifts of the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation through his countless performances at Crystal Concerts, fine arts festivals and (participation in) artist-in-residence grants.”

Jane Donahue is a freelance reporter.