NEWS | Matthew Whitaker

PRESS

PEOPLE

A blind jazz piano prodigy is taking the world by storm — so much so that scientists are studying his brain to figure out how he’s able to master those talents.

LOS ANGELES
TIMES

The two standouts of Saturday’s performances were born 66 years apart. Keyboardist Matthew Whitaker is likely the first bandleader born in the 21st century to play the festival. Whitaker is only 17 and blind, but his consciousness of the crowd was stronger than the average jazz bandleader.

THE CHESTERTOWN
SPY

“With jazz,” Matthew said, “you get to be completely you. With other genres, you have to play it as it’s written, jazz allows you to do your own thing. I love to improvise.”

NORTH JERSEY

"Someone of this talent, this creativity, this enthusiasm. He’s obviously got something to offer the world. And you want to make that possible."

ECREATIVE MAGAZINE

Matthew is a highly sought after musician who continues to astound audiences all over the world with his amazing talent.

EURWEB

With his infectious smile and sweet nature winning over returning host Steve Harvey before he even sat down at the piano.

THE HUFFINGTON
POST

15-year-old Whitaker was heating up The Harlem School of the Arts' benefit concert, at Manhattan’s Highline Ballroom. He was the opening act, bandleader and musical director.... “That boy just threw the holy spirit on that!"

NEW YORK

TIMES

“He hears everything as music,” said his father, Moses Whitaker. “The fax machine sounds like an A. The copy machine is a B flat. The jackhammers are making the drum beats that he likes.”

JAZZIT

JAZZ MAGAZINE

FOGGIA CITTA
APERTA

TRIBUNE 2 LARTISTE

"Matthew Whitaker is only 18, and he’s also blind, but the musicianship, arrangements, and band leading skills displayed here would be equally impressive were this album made by someone with five times the experience." "Now Hear This"

Jeff Tamarkin

JazzTimes Magazine

"With plenty of buzz already behind him, 18-year-old Matthew Whitaker lives up to expectations on "Now Hear This...” 4 Stars

Bob Doerschuk

Downbeat Magazine

“...Whitaker is the very essence of a musical prodigy.” “…his music here is not redolent of the precocious virtuosity and flamboyance we’ve come to expect from teen wunderkinder. His music doesn’t dazzle, it entices and entertains.”

George Kanzler

New York City Jazz Record

"The Ronnie Scott's debut of Matthew Whitaker was an absolute beauty. What a fantastic talent and a great musician he is at such a young age. The kid turned the place up side down!"

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club

London England

"He's not extraordinary because he's blind. He's extraordinary because he's extraordinary."

Ray Chew

Musical Director/Producer

"Playboy Jazz served up an admirably eclectic lineup, highlighted by some forward-thinking young jazz ensembles.... and crowd-pleasing newcomers (pianist Matthew Whitaker, whose trio was a Saturday afternoon highlight)."

Andy Herman

DownBeat Magazine

"This year a highlight was the Matthew Whitaker Trio. Reading Whitaker’s bio during his performance I thought it must be a mistake that he was born in 2001!! But it is true. On top of that he is blind.... Playing a solo on the organ foot pedals and another playing piano with his right hand and organ with his left hand, he amazed the audience with his talent and versatility."

Andy McCulloch

Indonesia Expat

"A few months ago, during a WBGO 40th anniversary concert at the Gateway Center, Matthew Whitaker had a large lunchtime crowd practically eating out of his hands. Whitaker is that kind of musician...” “...at 18 he’s already a seasoned pro with a substantial following…”

WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM

After a remarkable year that found him sharing the gift of music with audiences from Kennedy Center to Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater, 15 year old jazz prodigy, Matthew Whitaker, unleashed his debut studio album. Matthew’s not alone on this ride either. He brings along quite a few great friends like Christian McBride, Dave Stryker, and Ray Chew, who all lend a musical hand in helping Matthew piece together Outta The Box.

Rob Milton

"A few months ago, during a WBGO 40th anniversary concert at the Gateway Center, Matthew Whitaker had a large lunchtime… Pianist Matthew Whitaker (an amazing artist) played a jazzy rendition of The Birth of the Blues and the crowd went wild."

Carolyn Kelemen

DC Metro Theater Arts

"In another heartfelt moment, McBride teamed his bass with piano, played by 15-year-old Matthew Whitaker of Hackensack, for Oscar Peterson's "Hymn to Freedom."

NJ.com

"Carpenter showcased an up-and-coming jazz organist, the 14-year-old prodigy Matthew Whitaker. Whitaker demonstrated musicality beyond his years, beginning with a slow, soulful introduction, before launching into a rousing spectacle of virtuosity."

Benjamin Charles

Palm Beach Daily News

"Also performing that night with host Wayne Brady was a 13-year-old blind keyboard phenom named Matthew Whitaker, who played like the second coming of Ray Charles."

Anthony Mason

CBS Sunday Morning

“He hears music and he hears the entire picture right from the start. He innately understands the structures and how the chords are there and has that whole picture in his mind.… he’s so happy when he’s doing music.”

Dalia Sakas

The Filomen M. D'Agostino

Greenberg Music School

"It has been my privilege to present this musical prodigy to the Apollo Theater audiences since he was age 9. As composer, arranger and musician, Matthew Whitaker is beyond his years and focused on sharing his gifts and joy with the world. Enjoy, with the knowledge that there is more to come."

Marion J. Caffey

Producer Amateur Night at the Apollo

“To warm up the crowd for the main event, 13-year old Apollo organ player veteran Matthew Whitaker started off with Michael Jackson’s “Baby Be Mine” on the keyboard. This boy may be young, but his skill exceeds many older musicians. His sense of rhythm and his style of performance made the audience fall in love with him right out of the gate.”

Vinesh Vora

Source Magazine

"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. You can expect great things on the horizon from this remarkable and lovable young musician."

Monifa Brown

WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM

"At the Jazz Foundation of America’s “A Great Night in Harlem” benefit concert at the Apollo last week – a show that played host to stars like Elvis Costello, Macy Gray, Quincy Jones, Morgan Freeman as well as Jazz ringers like Steven Bernstein and Nicolas Payton – 12-year-old Matthew Whitaker stole the show...., Matthew Whitaker is quickly becoming one of the promising young talents in jazz."

Ryan Dembinsky

Contributing Editor for Hidden Track

"This young man is a genius! I love the way he's mastering those keys.....he will go far....watch out!"

Jon Batiste

Musician

"If you could imagine what Ray Charles and Jimmy McGriff looked like at age 13 but played like at age 30, then you will discover Matthew Whitaker."

Wendy Oxenhorn

Executive Director

Jazz Foundation of America

Jazz Foundation of America Loft Party "The real draw, though, was the music.... Despite his young age, Mr. Whitaker was one of the more sought-after guests; older musicians came up to him to praise his performance and to introduce themselves."

Carson Griffith

The Wall Street Journal

"Matthew is an exceptional young musician and an outstanding representative of our music school. We have high hopes that he will go far in his career."

Leslie Jones

Executive Director of The Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School

We have just fallen in love with Matthew because of his love for music, his enthusiasm, his energy. "Here is this very gifted child, but he’s not going into hip hop or rock and roll, he’s playing jazz music."

Cephas Bowles

WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM

President and Chief Executive Officer

"Hearing how Matthew has a free and creative approach to the drum set, I can not keep myself from thinking of Tony Williams, who began his career at 13 years old."

Marc Wagnon

Percussion, Jazz and Music Technology Instructor of The Filomen M. D'Agostino Greenberg Music School

"Young Matthew Whitaker, who played the piano and also happened to be blind, stole the show as he jammed and improvised. He garnered probably the loudest ovation of the night after he finished his solo, and conductor Steven Reineke, (NY Pops orchestra), was blown away by how good the 11-year-old was. “I was just told that the young man on the keys is only 11 years old. Are you kidding me? That's ridiculous!”

Ross Bernhardt

Writer for Charged.fm on performance with Ozomatli and NY Pops at SummerStage

"I caught wind of this genius child over the weekend and I am truly astonished at his talent and love of jazz. He has amazed everyone who hears him play. Not only does he burn it up on piano and Hammond, he kills it on the drums too! Go Matthew!"

Jazz N Pop