Audiophile Composer
Photo - Chris Egan
Sasha's Image

“Matson is the surprise newcomer of the year — Stravinskian vigor as well as unabashed Coplandy folksiness. His forms are thoughtful and unpredictable.”

— Kyle Gann, The Village Voice

Sasha Matson was born in Seattle and grew up in Berkeley, California, during the turbulent and highly musical 1960s. Music became a serious part of his life early on, eventually leading him to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied composition with Elinor Armer and John Adams. He continued his studies at UCLA and received a Ph.D. in Music Theory and Composition.
Matson has worked across concert music, jazz, opera, and film, including scores for a dozen dramatic feature films. His recordings include Steel Chords & i-5, Range of Light, Cooperstown, Tight Lines, and the jazz orchestra album Molto Molto. He has taught at LaGrange College, Long Island University, and the State University of New York, and is a Contributing Editor for Stereophile magazine. Matson currently lives in Woodstock, New York, where he continues to compose and write.

Mentors

With Bill Charlap, New York 2025

The jazz performer I admire most is pianist Bill Charlap- great champion of the American Songbook.

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Stereophile Articles

May 5, 2025

Canton Reference 5 loudspeaker

Canton Elektronik GmbH is a family-owned manufacturer of loudspeakers based in Weilrod, Germany. Founded in 1972, the name is from Latin and German: "Can" from the Latin "cantare," "to sing"; "Ton" from the German for "sound"; Canton is now well past its 50th anniversary. The largest manufacturer of perfectionist speakers in Germany, Canton is still based in the small township where it began, with manufacturing facilities in the Czech Republic.

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November 19, 2025

Recording of December 2025: Frank Sinatra: In the Wee Small Hours

Francis Albert Sinatra's milestone album In the Wee Small Hours was recorded and released in 1955 by Capitol Records. Now, in 2025, this never-out-of-print record has been remastered by Blue Note Records as part of their Tone Poet audiophile vinyl series. November 14 marks the 70th anniversary of the album's release on 12" LP.

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June 25, 2026

MonAcoustic PlatiMon VC One MK2/VC Two loudspeaker system

MonAcoustic is taking a distinctively modular approach to its product lineup: The PlatiMon VC One MK2 is a two-way standmount ($9500/pair). It can be used independently or coupled with the PlatiMon VC Two ($12,100/pair), which adds two more "ways"—not just in the lows but also the highs.

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Fillmore Street / Little Woodstar

Latest Release

February 7, 2025

Fillmore Street / Little Woodstar

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