Matthew Whitaker (pianist)

Matthew Whitaker
Whitaker in Brooklyn in June 2020
Whitaker in Brooklyn in June 2020
Background information
Born (2001-04-03) April 3, 2001 (age 23)
Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresJazz
Instrument(s)Piano
Organ
Websitewww.matthewwhitaker.net

Matthew Whitaker (born April 3, 2001) is an American jazz pianist. Blind since birth, he has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and the Apollo Theater, where, at 10, he was the opening performer for Stevie Wonder's induction into the Apollo Theater's Hall of Fame.[1][2][3][4][5]

Whitaker was the subject of Thrive, a 13-minute documentary about "the prodigious talent and irrepressible spirit of a musically precocious 12-year-old blind boy."[6]

  1. ^ Facer, Brooke (April 26, 2017). "The Clean Cut: Blind teenage piano virtuoso's incredible performance on 'Ellen'". Deseret News. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  2. ^ Levine, Cecilia (April 27, 2017). "Blind Hackensack Pianist Prodigy Performs On Ellen DeGeneres Show". Hackensack Daily Voice. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  3. ^ Beckerman, Jim (April 15, 2017). "Blind N.J. piano prodigy draws comparisons to Stevie Wonder". USA Today Network via Bergen County Record. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  4. ^ Nelson, Havelock (February 20, 2017). "Matthew Whitaker Brings "The Holy Spirit" To Harlem School of The Arts Benefit Concert". Huffington Post. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  5. ^ "This Blind Teenager Playing The Piano Is Phenomenal And TOTALLY Inspiring". Heart. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  6. ^ "Thrive". sebatapolfilm.com. Sabastopol Film Festival. Retrieved April 29, 2017.