Jazz saxophonist Matt Tuttle is back in Fresno – and he wants everybody to know.

Tuttle learned and played music at both Clovis West and Fresno City College before getting gigs as a cruise ship musician and in Las Vegas.

These days, he's a music teacher and he's put out a new CD dedicated to his grandmother. He'll be playing music from the CD at 8 p.m. today at Revue, 620 E. Olive Ave. There's no cover charge.

We talked to Tuttle to learn more about his musical past, his new CD and why he calls himself Fresno's best kept secret.

How did you get started playing music? I lived in Big Creek near Shaver Lake. My grandfather Art Stanton, who owned an office machine company, always played jazz when I visited. I was hooked. Started on a rusty, ancient saxophone.

Describe the style you play. Who are your influences? I play classic jazz or traditional jazz, my main influence is Paul Desmond of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, though I listen a lot to modern jazz [artists] such as Dave Koz.

After you finished your schooling here in town, where did music take you? Music has taken me around the world, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico while working in the showband for Carnival Cruise Lines. I also worked in Vegas and did some touring shows.

What's brought you back now? My family. Especially my son, Nicholas. I have 35 family members locally. One side is all lawyers.

You've called yourself "Fresno's best kept secret" – why? Well because of my 25 years of living elsewhere and coming back. I'm here permanently. I feel that once I do a major concert and CD, and people hear about me, I will have a strong following due to my affable personality, humor and stage presence.

You've got a new CD out, right? Tell us a bit about that. "Grandmothers Songs." I used to play piano for my grandmother, she loved music and I put together my favorite classic jazz songs that I played for her over the decades – "Over the Rainbow," "Stardust" and such. It's a tribute to her.

Besides your show at Revue, where else can people find you playing around town in the near future? I'm opening most of the Woodward Park Shakespeare Festival all summer. I will also be at Tachi Palace on Aug. 11 with the Legends of Doo-Wop concert.

For music and more: Go to myspace.com/matthewtuttle.

Know a local musician more people should be familiar with? Send details to Mike Osegueda, mosegueda@fresnobee.com.