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Matthew Whitaker
Matthew Whitaker is a Grammy-winning, Emmy and NAACP Image Award-nominated band leader, composer, and arranger.
Whitaker’s musical career began at age three and has since included international performances and appearances on major television programs. He has starred in, produced, and scored the Emmy-nominated documentary “About Tomorrow,” composed for the film “Starkeisha” (Hulu), and contributed to the Emmy-winning Apple TV commercial “The Greatest.” In 2023, he served as musical director for “Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For” in Pittsburgh.
He has performed as a guest soloist with orchestras such as the Aspen Chamber Symphony and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa,composed for the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra, and created the score “Finding Free” for Alvin Ailey Dance Company’s 2024–2025 season. His collaborations include Jon Batiste, Christian McBride, Derrick Hodge, Bootsy Collins, Ray Chew, Regina Carter, and Anderson Paak, with notable performances including the 2024 Paralympics Handover Ceremony.
In 2026, Whitaker won a Grammy for arranging “Super Mario Praise Break” with the 8-Bit Big Band. He is a three-time recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award and has released four studio albums, including “On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute” (2024), nominated for Outstanding Jazz Album at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards.
A graduate of The Juilliard School, Whitaker is committed to expanding access to music education. He serves as Artist in Residence at Augustana University, teaching piano, music theory, jazz ensembles, and choirs. Whitaker also advocates for people with disabilities, consulting with companies to improve accessibility.
On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute (2024)
Connections (2021)
Now Hear This (2019)
Outta the Box (2017)
"Matthew Whitaker is an extraordinary musician whose multi-instrumental talents are unmatched. His performances are always captivating, effortlessly blending various genres that appeal to a wide audience. Whether through a soulful piano piece or an energetic organ arrangement, he leaves listeners wanting more. His creativity and passion for music are evident, making any event unforgettable." - The Record
"It’s always tempting to add a qualifier when listening to a prodigy: we say he is good “for his age.” True, and he’s also blind, but the musicianship, arrangements, and bandleading skills displayed here would be equally impressive were this album made by someone with five times the experience." - JazzTimes
"Whitaker does not seem to program this material for the sake of nostalgia or as a revivalist. As promising as he appeared as a player, he sounded just as intriguing as an arranger. With his song choices, he sometimes suggested an archeologist going through old artifacts, trying to understand what life was like back then — only to put it back together his own way." - JazzIT