North Carolina native Madison Rast is a dynamic and expressive musician known for his deep musicality, intuitive improvisation, and soulful artistry. Madison graduated from the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, NC and received his MM in 1998 from Virginia Commonwealth University, as a recipient of the Carpenter Fellowship. Upon moving to Philadelphia in 1999, Madison has carved a unique path in the Philadelphia jazz scene. His playing is marked by a rich tone, rhythmic precision, and an emotional depth that captivates audiences and fellow musicians alike.

With roots in both classical training and jazz, Madison has shared the stage with renowned artists and ensembles across the country. Upon moving to Philadelphia, Madison quickly found a home at the legendary Ortlieb’s Haus where he performed regularly. He became a member of Bootsie Barne’s Sextet, which had a monthly residency at the club. Since 2018, Madison has been among the collective of jazz musicians known as the Captain Black Big Band under the direction of Orrin Evans, whose 2019 release Presence, 2020’s The Intangible Between and 2024’s Walk a Mile in My Shoe were all Grammy nominated. Recently, Madison appeared on The Philadelphia Eagles A Philly Special Christmas Party, along with Jason Kelce and Stevie Nicks.