eCREATIVE
are original works he wrote between the ages of 10 and 13. One of the pieces he
performed in Capri, Italy when he was 11. He wrote Song for Allie for his sister,
Allison, who today works with students with special needs. The CD’s producer is Ray
Chew, music director for the long-running, popular TV show, Dancing with the Stars.
“So many fabulous musicians from the New York City area, including Christian
McBride, Marcus Gilmore, James Carter, wanted to support Matthew by playing with
him on his CD,” said May Whitaker. “They all believe in his gift and wanted to be part
of the project.” Matthew draws his inspiration from listening to various artists like
Cory Henry. “He plays everything,” said Matthew, “and that inspires me to keep
going. The CD is expected to be released in 2016.
Matthew Whitaker appreciates being described as a virtuoso and a musical prodigy.
“It takes a lot of practice and time to get the music right when I’m composing or
arranging a song,” he said. “But if it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t have these musical
gifts.”
Matthew’s dad, Moses, advises parents whose children have musical talent to “find
out what they really want to do and nurture it until they stop or you realize what you
need to do to get your child to the next level.”