Matthew Whitaker

Rising Keyboard Master

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.  

The Hackensack, New Jersey native received his first keyboard at three and made a splash at 10, opening the festivities for Stevie Wonder’s 2011 induction into the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame. 

Whitaker released his debut album, Outta the Box, at 16, with guests including Christian McBride, James Carter, and Will Calhoun, and has worked widely in film and television, both onscreen and as a composer. A Juilliard graduate, he has performed with major orchestras around the world and at venues including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. In 2026, he won a GRAMMY for his arranging work with the 8-Bit Big Band. 

His fourth album, On Their Shoulders, was nominated for Outstanding Jazz Album at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards.