Matthew Whitaker
“The fleetness of finger, the touch and taste, the grit and grime when he needs it, the lightness and airiness when it’s called upon - Whitaker has it all.””
“Matthew Whitaker is music. To see and hear him play is to know that divine talent exists. Beyond his innate musical abilities is a sheer joy and passion to create music.” ”
Matthew's musical journey began at age three with a keyboard gift from his grandfather. He's now an artist, captivating audiences globally and having appeared on notable T.V. shows like Showtime at the Apollo, the Today Show, Ellen, and a feature on 60 Minutes.
Matthew’s latest album is titled On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute (released in 2024) and is his sincere seven-track homage to the pioneers of the Hammond B-3 organ who paved the way for him. Among them are “The Organ Grinder’s Swing” by Jimmy Smith; “Happy ‘Cause I’m Goin’ Home” by Charles Earland, “Pilgrimage” by Dr. Lonnie Smith, “In The Key of the Universe” by Joey DeFrancesco, and the festive “Expect Your Miracle” by gospel organist Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark of the Clark Sisters.
Matthew is a versatile artist, starring, producing, and scoring the All-Arts Emmy-nominated documentary "About Tomorrow" and scoring the film "Starkeisha," which is currently streaming on Hulu. He also appeared in and contributed music to the Emmy-winning Apple T.V. commercial "The Greatest." Matthew made his musical director debut for the award winning "Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For." A musical on the life of pianist and composer Billy Strayhorn, which premiered in Pittsburgh, PA, in the fall of 2023.
He’s had guest soloist appearances with orchestras and symphonies including Aspen Chamber Symphony, under the baton of guest conductor, Marin Alsop, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, CN, Alexander Shelley, conductor. He also composed a song for the 82-piece Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra, in Sofia, Bulgaria, which was included in the aforementioned All-Arts documentary, “About Tomorrow.” Matthew created the musical score ‘Finding Free’ for the Alvin Ailey Dance Company’s 2024-2025 season, choreographed by Hope Boykin it premiered in New York City and toured across the U.S.
Matthew believes that music connects us all and that every child should have access to music education. Beyond music, Matthew advocates for persons with disabilities, consulting with companies to improve accessibility features.
He is a three-time ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award winner, with three studio albums as a leader; "Outta The Box," "Now Hear This," and "Connections." His fourth recording, "On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute," (2024) an homage to some of Matthew's heroes on the instrument, is nominated for Outstanding Jazz Album by the 2025 NAACP Image Awards. Matthew has collaborated with industry greats like pianist, multiple Grammy-award winning composer, vocalist, and band leader Jon Batiste; Grammy-award winning bassist Christian McBride; bassist, composer, and producer Derrick Hodge; pianist, composer; musical director Ray Chew; and NEA Jazz Master, violinist Regina Carter; and Anderson Paak during the 2024 Paralympics Handover Ceremony.
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