“To see and hear him play is to know that divine talent exists.”—WBGO

“I am a musician who happens to be blind,” American jazz pianist Matthew Whitaker says, “and my prayer is that I can continue to be a blessing and inspiration to others.” From his earliest days noodling on a keyboard before mastering the Hammond B3 organ, he has evolved into a full-fledged virtuoso playing Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, the Apollo Theater, and beyond. His phenomenal quintet joins him at UGA to share his influences: traditional and contemporary jazz, R&B, Latin music, and gospel.