Pianist

Singer and Hammond B3 master Matthew Whitaker shares music from his new release On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute. A deeply personal homage to Jimmy Smith, Charles Earland, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, and the Clarke Sisters’ Elbernita “Twinkie” Clarke, the album also features original tunes from Whitaker. Don’t miss an evening of soulful swinging from a virtuosic organ trio.

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Matthew Whitaker

Jazz At Lincoln Center

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of jazz at the Jazz Festival at Caramoor, a day-long celebration of jazz music set against the picturesque backdrop of Caramoor's lush gardens and distinctive venues. Scheduled for July 27, 2024, in Katonah, NY, this festival promises an unforgettable experience for jazz enthusiasts and families alike.

The festival kicks off at 12:30 pm, with the grounds opening at 12:00 pm, offering a lineup of daytime performances that showcase the diverse facets of jazz. From the energetic Friends Field to the serene Sunken Garden, attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating to enjoy the music in these general admission areas. For those seeking comfort, seating is provided in the Spanish Courtyard and Venetian Theater, where the evening's headlining performance will take place.

This year's festival is thrilled to present piano sensation Matthew Whitaker as the evening headliner. Known for his prodigious talent and joyous performances, Whitaker is a rising star in the jazz world, captivating audiences with his award-winning compositions and bandleader prowess. The evening performance, starting at 7:30 pm in the Venetian Theater, features reserved seating, ensuring an intimate experience with this remarkable artist.

The festival also boasts a lineup of talented daytime artists, including Julius Rodriguez, Charles Overton, Francesca Tandoi, Ekep Nkwelle, Bruce Harris & Pretty for the People, and more to be announced. Whether you opt for the Daytime & Evening Headliner Ticket or the Daytime Only Ticket, you're in for a day filled with exceptional jazz performances.

Beyond the music, the festival offers a chance to explore the Rosen House, learn more about the artists, and enjoy the convenience of a free shuttle service from Metro North’s Katonah train station. Rain or shine, the Jazz Festival at Caramoor is set to deliver a memorable experience for all who attend.

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the spirit of jazz at one of the summer's most anticipated events. Buy your tickets now and prepare to be swept away by the magic of the Jazz Festival at Caramoor.

Jazz Festival

Venetian Theater at Caramoor

Each year, outstanding young musicians with disabilities from around the world receive the Kennedy Center’s VSA International Young Musicians Award. At this Ellington-inspired piano showcase, we spotlight three ferociously talented winners: Justin Kauflin, José André Montaño, and Matthew Whitaker.

Three Keys to Ellington: Justin Kauflin, José André Montaño, Matthew Whitaker

Kennedy Center

Musical prodigy Matthew Whitaker grew up surrounded by music. At age 9, he began teaching himself how to play the Hammond B3, and four years later became the youngest artist to ever be endorsed by Hammond. His always joyful performances, which span jazz, R&B and soul, display an innate mastery of the keyboard. Now three years into a Jazz Studies degree at The Juilliard School, the blind 22-year old pianist has already toured the world over as a solo artist, performed with the likes of Christian McBride, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Regina Carter and Jon Batiste, composed acclaimed music for film and television, and been featured on Showtime at the Apollo and 60 Minutes, among others. Don’t miss this Savannah Music Festival debut!

Trustees Theater

Born in 2001 in Hackensack, NJ, Matthew Whitaker grew up surrounded by music. His love for playing music first began at the young age of 3 after his grandfather gave him a small Yamaha keyboard. At 9, Matthew began teaching himself how to play the Hammond B3 organ. Four years later, he became the youngest artist to be endorsed by Hammond in its 80+ year history. He was also named a Yamaha Artist at 15, becoming the youngest musician to join the stellar group of jazz pianists.

Folly Theater

A double-bill that will put the next generation side-by-side with the master. Grooving on the Hammond B-3 organ, Booker T. changed the history of music with his breakout album on the Stax Records label. The Memphis Sound was born, and the cornerstone laid for the soul/funk movement. Since 1962, his music has played an ever-present role in pop culture, and musicians across all genres cite him as a one-of-a-kind influence. His six-decade legacy reverberates today with fellow Hammond organ prodigy, Matthew Whitaker. The young keyboard whiz made his debut opening for Stevie Wonder at the Apollo Theater at age ten.

Booker T. Jones

Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts

Phenomenal 22-year-old pianist Matthew Whitaker has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and now shares his irrepressible musicianship with his quartet in the intimate space of The JAI.

Matthew Whitaker Quartet

The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center

Matthew Whitaker’s love for music began at the age of three, after his grandfather gave him a small Yamaha keyboard. At nine years old, Matthew began teaching himself how to play the Hammond B3 organ. Four years later, he became the youngest artist to be endorsed by Hammond in its 80+ year history. From performing at Stevie Wonder’s induction to the Apollo Theatre’s Hall of Fame ceremony to his stunning debut at the Mondavi Center in 2022, Whitaker has achieved so much, so quickly. But it’s his rich talent and effusive spirit, not his youth, that keep audiences coming back to experience Whitaker and his talented bandmates. His most recent album, Connections, documents a further leap of this already prodigious talent

Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts

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).

University of California, Berkeley

Matthew Whitaker, acclaimed jazz pianist and alumnus of FMDG Music School, presents a concert to benefit this special music school for individuals with vision loss. Matthew brings his quintet to perform with him in addition to select students from the Music School. Other features of the show include a new short film about the FMDG Music School.

Matthew Whitaker: Fmdg Benefit Concert

Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space

Matthew Whitaker’s mastery of funk and jazz on both the piano and Hammond B-3 organ has captivated audiences globally through appearances on notable T.V. shows like Showtime at the Apollo, the Today Show, Ellen, and a feature on 60 Minutes. His 2024 album, On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute, nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album, pays homage to the pioneers of the Hammond B-3 organ who paved the way for his artistry. Most recently, his co-arrangement of “Super Mario Praise Break” for the 8-Bit Big Band won the 2026 GRAMMY for best instrumental arrangement. 

Robert & Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts

The remarkable keyboardist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger Matthew Whitaker is a torchbearer for a new generation of young musicians with boundless creativity. The GRAMMY-winning former prodigy has collaborated with Jon Batiste, Christian McBride, Regina Carter and Bootsy Collins, and has recorded four uplifting albums blending the soul and jazz traditions. His SFJAZZ debut follows the release of his latest album, On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute — a loving salute to the organists who have inspired him including Dr. Lonnie Smith, Charles Earland, Jimmy Smith, Elbernita Clark, and Joey DeFrancesco.

SFJAZZ Center

Grammy winning pianist Matthew Whitaker has captivated audiences worldwide with his remarkable versatility across jazz, gospel, and beyond. In UPLIFT!, a jubilant, multi-generational one-night celebration tailored for Washington Performing Arts and Strathmore, Whitaker joins forces with Grammy nominated vocalist Christie Dashiell, his dynamic band, and youth ensembles the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir and alumni, featuring horns and strings from members of Strathmore’s resident artist programs. Don’t miss this soulful evening of music.

Pianist

Matthew Whitaker

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 17, 2027

Matthew Whitaker · Robert & Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts

Feb 18, 2027

Matthew Whitaker · San Francisco Jazz

Mar 6, 2027

Matthew Whitaker · Washington Performing Arts

Past events

27 - 28 Aug, 2024

Matthew Whitaker · Jazz at Lincoln Center

Jul 27, 2024

Jazz Festival · Caramoor

About

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