Jazz Excellence by Matthew Whitaker
Young jazz sensation making music from the heart
Emmy Award nominee and performer of 2024 Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony
No Limits 2025 opens with the Hong Kong debut of award-winning young American multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Matthew Whitaker. In two individual performances, he showcases his extraordinary musicianship and musical influences ranging from jazz to gospel, soul, Latin, rhythm and blues, and hiphop.
Playing piano and organ – alongside quintet partners Liany Mateo on bass, Marcos Robinson on guitar, Ivan Llanes on percussion and John Steele on drums – Whitaker presents bold original compositions and rearrangements of familiar jazz classics, demonstrating his outstanding technical and improvisation skills.
Born blind, Whitaker was recognised as a musical prodigy as a young child, and by the age of fifteen had become an internationally renowned jazz pianist and the youngest Yamaha Artist in history. Now in his early twenties, Whitaker is a seasoned and accomplished musician, winning audiences around the world with his powerful, distinctive style and charismatic positivity. A three-time ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award winner, Whitaker has collaborated with industry greats like Jon Batiste, Christian McBride, Regina Carter, Ray Chew and Derrick Hodge.
Programme on 1 March
Matthew Whitaker Yessaah
Caldera Sky Islands
Dave Brubeck Blue Rondo a la Turk
Will Hudson, Irving Mills, Michell Parish The Organ Grinder’s Swing
Robert Lamm Happy Cause I’m Goin’ Home
Charles Turner Harlem Harlem Harlem
Cory Henry Gotcha Now Doc
Matthew Whitaker Stop Fighting
Bob Thiele, George David Weiss What A Wonderful World
Twinkie Clark Expect Your Miracle
Matthew Whitaker Take A Break
Luther Vandross/ Chaka Kahn Never Too Much/ Ain’t Nobody
Programme is subject to change
Programme on 2 March
Dave Weckl Garden Wall
Chick Corea Spain
Matthew Whitaker Journey Uptown
Dave Brubeck Take Five
Dr Lonnie Smith Pilgrimage
Matthew Whitaker A New Day
Jorge Ben Jor Mas Que Nada
Matthew Whitaker It Will Be Okay
Matthew Whitaker Emotions
Ahmad Jamal Tranquility
Eddie Harris Freedom Jazz Dance
Marvin Gaye What’s Going On/Inner City Blues
Programme is subject to change
Matthew Whitaker
American pianist and multi-instrumentalist Matthew Whitaker is a versatile young artist who captivates audiences around the world with international tours, TV appearances, the production of film scores, and guest soloist appearances with orchestras and symphonies. Born blind, he is also an advocate for people with disabilities, consulting with companies to improve accessibility features.
A three-time ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award winner, Whitaker has released four albums – “Outta The Box”, “Now Hear This”, “Connections” and “On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute” – and collaborated with industry greats such as composer, vocalist and band leader Jon Batiste; bassist Christian McBride; violinist Regina Carter; pianist, composer and musical director Ray Chew; and bassist, composer and producer Derrick Hodge.
22 November – 11 December 2024
20% discount on all full-price tickets.
Starting from 22 November 2024, 10am
Half-price tickets are available for fulltime students, people with disabilities and a companion, and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients.
Discounts for full-time students are also applicable to children aged 6 and under. Concessionary ticket holders must produce evidence of their identity or age upon admission.
Starting from 12 December 2024, 00:00am
10% discount on purchases of 4-9 full-price tickets for the same programme.
20% discount on purchases of 10 or more full-price tickets for the same programme.
Starting from 12 December 2024, 00:00am
10% discount on purchases of 2-3 full-price tickets for multiple programmes.
20% discount on purchases of 4 or more full-price tickets for multiple programmes.
Piano supported by
