National Public Radio's "Jazz Piano Christmas"

at The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC

December 6, 2003

 

It is difficult to point to any one experience Matt has had since he began his journey into the world of jazz as being “the best”.  There have been SO, SO many… debuting at The Blue Note, performing with Bobby Watson, meeting all of the fantastic Bösendorfer piano artists, performing for the President and First Lady of Singapore, the list goes on and on and on…

However, a recent performance was especially wonderful for both Matt and us.  On December 6th, Matt was one of several jazz artists invited to perform at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. for NPR (National Public Radio)’s live “Jazz Piano Christmas” concert.  There were actually two shows, as the first show sold out quickly.  Matt performed two Christmas tunes (solo piano)… “Frosty the Snowman” and “Winter Wonderland”. 

The other artists who performed that evening were musicians about whom you have all heard … Arturo O’Farrill, Jason Moran, Karrin Allyson with Danny Embrey, Lynne Arriale, Stefon Harris, and The Bad Plus.  As some of you might know, the artists listed run the gamut in style of jazz, which made the evening alive and a treat for the jazz lover!!!  This also meant a wealth of jazz jamming and improvising and playing and learning for Matt!!!!  As each musician finished, he or she went backstage to the artist’s “warm-up room”.  Here, in addition to food, there was a piano available to the artists for warming up or just jamming.  Matt and Arturo sat like TWO kids at the piano, playing Boogie Woogie and improvising at will, bumping each other and laughing.  Jason sat smiling and listening (as did I, except for taking a few photos).  Arturo became an immediate friend and mentor to Matt.  When Matt had first met Arturo earlier that day, Arturo was coming off of the stage after his sound check and Matt was headed onto the stage for HIS.  They met at the backstage door.  I immediately recognized Arturo, introduced myself, and called for Matt, saying “Hey, Matt!  Come here.  This is Arturo O’Farrill.”  Matt immediately looked up, put up his hand to shake Arturo’s hand and said, “Wow!”  That was it.  No hello or anything.  Just a wide-eyed look of awe and a “Wow!”  I think Matt’s comment sums up all of our feelings about Arturo.  He is a bundle of energy, spilling over with talent and creativity; but, in addition to being a father to his own children, he is a playful and caring individual.

 

We are including some photos of the evening here for your enjoyment.  Check out the NPR web site:

www.npr.org

to learn more about the evening and hear a few clips from the show.

Matt and Arturo O'Farrill jamming backstage.                              Matt and Jason Moran

Karrin Allyson and Danny Embrey warming up.                          Matt and Bad Plus fooling around.

Matt and Lisa Simone.                                                        Matt and Stefon Harris

Matt with Lynne Arriale

 

Everyone involved in putting on the concert at the Kennedy Center, the NPR staff and the Kennedy Center folks, was totally wonderful to us.  And the artists involved in the concert were sweet and encouraging and welcoming to Matt.  One of the things I appreciate most about Matt’s love of jazz is that we have the opportunity to hang out with jazz musicians.  There are no cooler, kinder people than jazz musicians.  What is theirs is yours.  What they love is music…everything about it.  We have had the chance to share moments in time with some of the very best musicians in the world both on this one evening and over the course of Matt’s musical journey.  It doesn’t get much better than that.  I thought the Kennedy Center jazz event was the perfect way for Matt to end his performance schedule for 2003.

We would like to thank NPR very much for inviting Matt to be a part of their special event.  Thanks also go to The Kennedy Center staff for taking care of every single detail such that our evening was fun, comfortable, and a memory we shall treasure.  And we send a special thanks to all of the artists of the evening.  If any of the “artists of the evening” read this, I want you to know how much each of you meant to both Matt and us.  Each of you taught something to Matt, both musically and personally.  (And to David, the drummer of The Bad Plus, who jammed on the backstage piano with Matt in between concerts playing “Who let the dogs out”? …I know you felt especially proud that Matt then slipped the melody into his version of “Winter Wonderland” during the second concert).  Matt still giggles about doing that.  Each of you gave a little part of yourself to Matt.  We thank you.