Touring with the release of his fourth album, “On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute,” Matthew Whitaker performed this past weekend in D.C. at Blues Alley in Georgetown for an audience that got in the groove with a predominantly upbeat music set.
“On the Shoulders” features the multi-keyboardist and composer paying tribute to organists who have influenced Whitaker’s style on the Hammond Organ. Whitaker, who is blind, demonstrated that his hands move at a high rate of speed on the keys.
A blip happened for the two shows on Sunday evening. Whitaker announced that his Hammond Organ went out of commission after the Saturday night shows. However, that did not matter to the Sunday audience.
Whitaker performed on his Yamaha YC61 keyboard, which had the same sound as an organ, plus that of a bass guitar, percussion, and other instruments. Whitaker and his dad, Moses Whitaker, said a number of adjustments had to be made to ensure the sound was right.
In addition to Whitaker on the Yamaha, his trio included Marcos Robinson on guitar and Johnny Steele on drums. They opened with “The Organ Grinder’s Swing,” with Whitaker’s rendition influenced by Jimmy Smith’s version of this 1936 composition by Will Hudson, Mitchell Parish, and Irving Mills. Then the group played one of Whitaker’s compositions, “Yessaah,” a title that lets you know you will be moving in your seat.
When the group played “Happy Cause I’m Goin’ Home,” it was golden. The arrangement was reminiscent of the Charles Earland version from the early 1970s, recorded by the group Chicago and composed by one of its founding members, Robert Lamm.
As the set continued, Whitaker acknowledged one of his mentors, organist and NEA Jazz Master Dr. Lonnie Smith. The trio played “Pilgrimage,” a Smith composition. The audience heard music from Whitaker’s other albums before he tapped back into “On the Shoulders” with “Expect Your Miracle” by Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark Terrell of the famous Clark Sisters.
Over the years, Whitaker has performed in D.C. many times, most recently for the Kennedy Center’s observance of Duke Ellington’s 125th birthday. His most recent visit was his first performing gig at the venerable Blues Alley. I am sure his fans will find him whenever Whitaker returns to D.C.
Visit Matthew Whitaker’s website for his tour schedule and music at matthewwhitaker.net