eCREATIVE
on time and that the instruments are
transported and my set lists are organized,”
he said. They also make sure Matthew has
the right people around him and that
everyone knows he has the full support of
both of his parents.
“We talked about music, Braille, and
took pictures.” A highlight of their
meeting was Wonder’s gift to
Matthew of one of his harmonicas,
which today he keeps in a very special
place.
“Music is a part of Matthew,” said May
Whitaker. “He’s just as excited playing with
the school band or at a large venue. He loves
the feedback from audiences. It’s easy to
In 2014, Matthew was named an
Official Hammond Organ Artist by one
of his mentors, jazz legend and
Hammond Organ Hall-of-Fame
Matthew Whitaker
was named an Official
Hammond Organ Artist
in 2014, the youngest
inductee in the
company’s 81-year
history.
support him.”
Thelonious Monk, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and
Stevie Wonder are among the musicians
Matthew admires. He was 11 when he met
and played for music superstar Stevie
Wonder backstage at an Apollo Theater gala.
Matthew has also won the iconic winning the
icon Amateur Night at the Apollo. “Stevie is
really nice, very down to earth,” he noted.
member, Dr. Lonnie Smith, making
him the youngest inductee in the
organization’s 81-year history.
Matthew is currently completing work
on his first CD recording, titled Take a
Break, a mixture of jazz, smooth jazz
and latin compositions he has
arranged. Six of the album’s 10 tracks