There is a playful spirit of curiosity and exploration in Matthew Whitaker's approach to the keyboard, whether he is tackling bebop, electric fusion, R&B, or Latin rhythms as part of his omnivorous approach to jazz. A child prodigy on piano and organ, Whitaker joined an elite group of jazz pianists when he was endorsed by Yamaha at age 18, and went on to win the ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award two years in a row. Now, he's released his third acclaimed recording, which reflects on his musical and personal connections and features music by Thelonious Monk, Chick Corea, Duke Pearson, and Duke Ellington. "It is astounding. 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" (Downbeat).
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Jazz prodigy Matthew Whitaker is that rare musical "old soul"--a virtuoso since childhood on piano and Hammond B-3 organ, and even at the youngest age able to cultivate an electric chemistry with his audience.
Whitaker, who made a sensational debut for Berkeley audiences in last fall's Cal Performances at Home streaming season, has been bringing listeners to their feet and onto the dance floor since he began touring internationally at age 11, playing a wide, grooving repertoire of straight-ahead jazz, hard bop, R&B, and Latin music. His 2019 record, Now Hear This, was universally praised by the jazz press, and his compositions have recently been recognized with two Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers awards.
"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" (WBGO).
show less
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Jazz prodigy Matthew Whitaker is that rare musical "old soul"--a virtuoso since childhood on piano and Hammond B-3 organ, and even at the youngest age able to cultivate an electric chemistry with his audience.
Whitaker, who made a sensational debut for Berkeley audiences in last fall's Cal Performances at Home streaming season, has been bringing listeners to their feet and onto the dance floor since he began touring internationally at age 11, playing a wide, grooving repertoire of straight-ahead jazz, hard bop, R&B, and Latin music. His 2019 record, Now Hear This, was universally praised by the jazz press, and his compositions have recently been recognized with two Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers awards.
"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" (WBGO).
There is a playful spirit of curiosity and exploration in Matthew Whitaker's approach to the keyboard, whether he is tackling bebop, electric fusion, R&B, or Latin rhythms as part of his omnivorous approach to jazz. A child prodigy on piano and organ, Whitaker joined an elite group of jazz pianists when he was endorsed by Yamaha at age 18, and went on to win the ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award two years in a row. Now, he's released his third acclaimed recording, which reflects on his musical and personal connections and features music by Thelonious Monk, Chick Corea, Duke Pearson, and Duke Ellington. "It is astounding. 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" (Downbeat).
~~~~~~~~~
Jazz prodigy Matthew Whitaker is that rare musical "old soul"--a virtuoso since childhood on piano and Hammond B-3 organ, and even at the youngest age able to cultivate an electric chemistry with his audience.
Whitaker, who made a sensational debut for Berkeley audiences in last fall's Cal Performances at Home streaming season, has been bringing listeners to their feet and onto the dance floor since he began touring internationally at age 11, playing a wide, grooving repertoire of straight-ahead jazz, hard bop, R&B, and Latin music. His 2019 record, Now Hear This, was universally praised by the jazz press, and his compositions have recently been recognized with two Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers awards.
"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" (WBGO).
read more
~~~~~~~~~
Jazz prodigy Matthew Whitaker is that rare musical "old soul"--a virtuoso since childhood on piano and Hammond B-3 organ, and even at the youngest age able to cultivate an electric chemistry with his audience.
Whitaker, who made a sensational debut for Berkeley audiences in last fall's Cal Performances at Home streaming season, has been bringing listeners to their feet and onto the dance floor since he began touring internationally at age 11, playing a wide, grooving repertoire of straight-ahead jazz, hard bop, R&B, and Latin music. His 2019 record, Now Hear This, was universally praised by the jazz press, and his compositions have recently been recognized with two Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers awards.
"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" (WBGO).
show less
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UC Berkeley Campus, Berkeley, CA 94720
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