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| Matthew Whitaker Earns NAACP Image Award Nomination for Outstanding Jazz Album Virtuosic artist Matthew Whitaker is celebrating his first-ever NAACP Image Award nomination for On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute in the Outstanding Jazz Album category at the 56th edition of the historic award ceremony. Released last summer, On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute is a soulful, 7-track shout-out to the Hammond B-3 organ pioneers who paved the way for the young phenom. The 56th annual NAACP Image Awards will take place on February 22, 2025, and will air live on BET and CBS. The non–televised categories will be honored the night prior at the Image Awards Creative Honors Ceremonies. "I am extremely grateful to be nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album! It means so much to me, especially since it is a tribute to the organ and its masters: Jimmy Smith, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ms. Twinkie Clark, Joey DeFrancesco, and Charles Earland, " Whitaker shared in a statement. At just 23 years old, the Hackensack, NJ-based artist has captivated audiences globally with his dazzling skills as a multi-instrumentalist, high-energy performances, and inspirational story. Hailed as a "genius" by fellow keyboardist Jon Batiste, Whitaker's tremendous talents are the subject of wide media coverage, from 60 Minutes and The Today Show to Forbes and DownBeat Magazine. Whitaker has also worked with many prominent musicians, including Roy Ayers, NEA Jazz Master Regina Carter, Christian McBride, Derrick Hodge and Anderson Paak. Whitaker starred, produced, and scored the All Arts Emmy-nominated short documentary, "Matthew Whitaker: About Tomorrow, " and he also wrote the score for the motion picture short "Starkeisha, " for ESPN's Andscape platform, currently streaming on HULU. He was also cast in "The Greatest, " an Emmy-winning Apple commercial highlighting the company's accessibility features, which help people with disabilities solve everyday challenges. Whitaker served as musical director for "Billy Strayhorn: Something To Live For, " a musical about composer/arranger Billy Strayhorn, which debuted in Pittsburgh. Whitaker also appeared as a guest soloist for the Aspen Chamber Symphony, the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, and he composed a song for the 82-piece Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra in Sofia, Bulgaria. Matthew recently collaborated with acclaimed choreographer Hope Boykin, where he wrote the score for the world premiere of "Finding Free" for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company's 2024-2025 season. Matthew Whitaker is proud to be nominated alongside colleagues Etienne Charles, Kirk Whalum, Javon Jackson and Nikki Giovanni, and Samara Joy. About NAACP: The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st-century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism, where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities. NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP–LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP but now operates as a completely separate entity. About BET Media Group: The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA), is the world's largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Black audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is a thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international. write your comments about the article :: © 2025 Jazz News :: home page |