Matthew Whitaker

About

Matthew Whitaker is a Grammy, Emmy and NAACP Image Award nominated band leader, composer and arranger. Musical Journey and Early Beginnings Matthew’s passion for music was sparked at the age of three, when his grandfather gifted him a keyboard. Over the years, Matthew’s artistry has reached audiences around the world, and he has been featured on major television programs such as Showtime at the Apollo, the Today Show, Ellen, and 60 Minutes. Film and Television Achievements As a multifaceted artist, Matthew has starred in, produced, and scored the Emmy-nominated All-Arts documentary “About Tomorrow.” He also composed the score for the film “Starkeisha,” now streaming on Hulu, and contributed to the Emmy-winning Apple TV commercial “The Greatest.” In 2023, Matthew made his debut as musical director for the award-winning musical “Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For,” which premiered in Pittsburgh, PA. Collaborations Matthew’s talent extends to guest soloist roles with renowned orchestras and symphonies, including the Aspen Chamber Symphony under guest conductor Marin Alsop, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, led by Alexander Shelley. He composed a piece for the 82-piece Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra in Sofia, featured in the All-Arts documentary “About Tomorrow.” For Alvin Ailey Dance Company’s 2024–2025 season, Matthew created the score “Finding Free,” choreographed by Hope Boykin, premiering in New York City and touring nationally. Matthew has collaborated with renowned artists including Jon Batiste, Christian McBride, Derrick Hodge, Bootsy Collins, Ray Chew, NEA Jazz Master Regina Carter, and Anderson Paak, notably performing at the 2024 Paralympics Handover Ceremony. Recognitions Matthew Whitaker is a 2026 Grammy nominee for his work as an arranger on the song “Super Mario Praise Break” with the 8 Bit Big Band; the album featuring this song is also nominated for Best Large Jazz Ensemble. He has received the ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award three times and has released four studio albums: “Outta The Box,” “Now Hear This,”, “Connections”, and his fourth album, “On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute” \(2024\), dedicated to his organ heroes, was nominated for Outstanding Jazz Album at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards. Beliefs and Advocacy A product of public education and a graduate of The Juilliard School, Matthew is deeply committed to the power of music to connect people and believes that every child deserves access to music education. When not touring, Matthew invests in the next generation of musicians as the Artist in Residence at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD, where he teaches piano, music theory, jazz ensembles, and chorus. Matthew is also an advocate for people with disabilities, consulting with companies to improve accessibility. Listed by WBGO Live Jazz.