About Matt Warnock Guitar
Hey, I’m Matt — jazz guitarist, lifelong educator, and your guide on the journey to mastering jazz guitar.
I’ve played over 2,000 gigs around the world — from Brazil to Nepal, New Zealand to Latvia — sharing stages with legends like Slide Hampton, Randy Brecker, Stefon Harris, and Darmon Meader of the New York Voices.
But while performing jazz is my passion, teaching jazz guitar is my calling.
I taught my first lesson at 17, and since then, I’ve helped over 12 million guitarists worldwide through one-on-one lessons, 500+ workshops, and a full library of online courses and blog lessons that make even the trickiest jazz concepts feel approachable and playable.
I've taught at leading institutions across Canada, the US, and the UK, including Algoma University (where I currently teach Jazz History, World Music, and How to Listen to Music), Western Illinois University, University of Illinois, Western Michigan University, Leeds Conservatoire, and the University of Chester.
I also served as a Senior Examiner for the London College of Music, assessing performance exams across a wide range of styles and skill levels.
Academically, I hold degrees from McGill University (Bachelor’s in Jazz Guitar Performance), Western Michigan University (Master’s in Jazz Performance), and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Doctorate of Musical Arts).
My mission is simple:
To help you play jazz guitar with confidence, clarity, and joy.
Whether you're aiming for a music career or just playing for fun, I’ll meet you where you are, break things down into bite-size steps, and walk with you every note of the way.
🎶 My debut solo album, Homecoming, is streaming now — a musical love letter to Northern Ontario, where my journey began.
If you’ve been yearning to grow as a jazz guitarist, you’re in the right place.
Let’s get started.