Hampton Roads saxophonist Matt Willard released his first jazz album in 2022 at age 23 and got instant radio play. His singles climbed domestic and international charts, and musicians he once idolized started asking him to play with them.

The slow and steady momentum of his career had morphed into a feeling of rushing success. And then, it stopped. Bang. Done.

He was diagnosed with lockjaw. The pain was excruciating and chronic. Even talking hurt. He was forced to put down his tenor sax.

“The worst part was, music had saved my life. It had. Music saved my life,” Willard said. “And it was gone.”

He didn’t blow a note for 14 months — until earlier this year. Now 26, he is mounting a comeback.

Willard grew up in York County. Dealing with mental health issues, he frequently got in trouble

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