Ben Folds, Steely Dan, Brian Wilson, Billy Joel, The Beatles and more.
If you like music by Five For Fighting, The Fray, Maroon 5, Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin, Ben Lee, All American Rejects, Switchfoot, Tyler Hilton, Teddy Geiger, Gavin DeGraw, John Mayer or Jason Mraz, you just might like mine... so check it out! Click here to join my MAILING LIST!!
Matthew Jordan - "Disappear" Live at Genghis Cohen
Matt covers the Sam & Dave classic, "Hold On, I'm Comin'"
Matthew Jordan - "Simpler Days" Live at Genghis Cohen
"Charismatically gifted... his voice is remarkably expressive... Jordan's musical ability is often stunning." - Bernard Baur, Music Connection Magazine "He's a pro, he can just do *anything*."- Vanessa Carlton on MTV "Duets"
"A welcome addition to the family of piano songsters."- John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting.
"Think of Mayer and Mraz with the jaw-dropping piano skills of Ben Folds, and you just might get an idea of this 24 year old wonder."-Steven Stewart, Nokia Music Supervisor, Helsinki, Finland
There was never a time when Matthew Jordan didn’t want to play piano and sing.
“I can remember telling the teacher in kindergarten that I was going to grow up to be like Billy Joel,” he says, with a soft-spoken smile that suggests a quiet self-confidence. “There was a kid I knew back then who used to sing We Didn’t Start the Fire on the playground. I came home and asked my dad about it, and he pulled out this huge stack of Billy’s old albums. That was it. I was totally hooked.”
But even before that, another piano prodigy inspired him. “We actually lived next door to Tori Amos when I was about two or three years old. She used to come over a lot, because my dad was the photographer who did her early pictures. I called her Toe-y.”
So, with Billy and Tori looking figuratively over his shoulders, a five-year-old boy sat transfixed at the keyboard for hours… which became days… and then years… until he finally graduated from USC’s prestigious Thornton School of Music in 2006. “There’s never been anything else I’ve wanted to do. Of course, everybody in high school thought I was weird, ‘cause in high school ya gotta play guitar to be cool. But I just kept playing and writing, and here we are.”
Having recently released his debut full-length CD Horizon (Quiet Thunder Records), Jordan has already established plenty of impressive credentials: Over 25,000 fans on MySpace; chosen as a featured artist by NOKIA Corp. with his music included in their official Podcast at MIDEM 2008 and featured in International ads for the Nokia N96; a finalist on MTV “Duets” with Vanessa Carlton; having his music used as background on a number of MTV & VH1 shows; and a starring role in Five For Fighting’s iconic and award-winning video 100 Years in which he plays the wistful 15 year old pianist (“Fifteen – there’s still time for you”).
He recalls the day of the video shoot as the most grueling and exciting day of his young career. “We had to be on the set at 5:30 AM, and we shot for thirteen hours, during which time I had to repeatedly fall out of a giant tree, my own personal Fear Factor,” he laughs. “Then we had to rush back to Hollywood, because I had a huge gig that night at the Hotel Café.”
In fact, Matthew Jordan live performances are really something special. The ability to be passionately into his music while playing, and disarmingly vulnerable and open in between songs is rare, and Jordan has it a hundred times over. Whether performing with his band, as he frequently does at venues all over Southern California, or solo, as he was on his most recent National tour, Matthew forges an instant bond with his audience.
Of course, it helps that his songs have lyrics and themes to which everyone can relate. I’m On My Way is an exuberant anthem to finally breaking out on your own, featuring percussive machine gun piano and an insanely catchy chorus. Eventually is a plaintive prayer that a deep love will grow in a heart where none currently exists. That’s a sentiment that nearly everyone has shared at one time or another.
“Most of the time, I bleed my emotions out with the music first,” Matthew says. “I latch on to a feeling and just let it play through my fingers. Then the music tells me what the song is about… Sometimes the meaning of song isn’t totally clear until weeks after it’s written.”
And sometimes those meanings are dark. Both Insomniac and Scared of Love are songs about suicide. Insomniac is about the failed attempt of a high school friend to kill himself over a broken romance. Scared of Love hits even closer to home, written for a beloved uncle who tragically took his own life several years ago.
But mostly, Matthew’s music has a hopeful edge to it. “I try to keep my eye on the big picture,” he muses. “There’s something pretty overwhelming about being an ant on a marble floating in a random corner of an infinite cosmos. That makes it kinda hard for me to take myself too seriously.”
As for the future, upcoming plans include more extensive touring of the U.S., and the release of a brand-new EP, Shine .
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Saying Hello for a moment. I went to my media player this morning after getting up. I played "One Thing Right". As I turn 39 sunday, your song migit become "the song of the day" for me this year. I will write you later tomorrow or you, me. Our friendship, your music, using it to write my novel as I do Kenny's songs, is an ongoing gift, Matthew.
Thanks. Really.
Hanshake hug,
Christopher
Hey pal, I got your message the other day. Thanks so much. You and our friendship makes me feel so good. I added "Disappear" to my playlist. We'll talk soon. You're, without a doubt, my favorite musician on here. Yeah, you top even Barry Manilow on here. I'm not bs'ing you. You and Kenny are just fantastic to me. Thanks. Write you soon... Love, Christopher
Matt: Hello!! How is life treating you? I noticed that you have a show tomorrow night. Just wanted to stop by, say hello & hope that you have a great show!! Hope lots of people come out to see you. I wish I lived closer. I will be thinking of you & hoping you have lots of fun. Have a great weekend. P.S maybe someone will tape some of the show!! Maybe if someone videotapes the show you could use one song as your next you tube video. Just a thought. Say hello sometime. Your NJ friend, Mary
Hey Matthew,
I had a chance to go in my phone and write you comment. I'm sure you are doing fine. Later tonite when I get home I can get to my laptop and make some "rounds" like a doctor does. Anyway, I miss you. Your music is alive and so is your friendship within me. Write me OK? I'm writing my novel with your cd playing many times.
Later pal-
Christopher
Matt: Hello! Just wanted to thank you for the song you sent - it is a beautiful song & the combination of the violin, keyboards sound great together!! Hope that the song gets the attention it deserves. Hope this week will be a good one for you. Take care & it was good to talk to the other night. Looking forward to your next phone call, text or email. Your friend, Mary
Hello Matt!! Hope that your weekend was a good one. I saw you posted a new you tube video. I will stop by and check it out as well as leave you a comment. Take care & hope to hear from you soon. I just finished working eight days in a row & I am worn out. Thank goodness I have a few days off. I don't go back to work till Wednesday. Your NJ friend, Mary
Hi Matthew,
I wanted to wish you a great weekend. Even though we haven't met or even spoken, you and your music mean a great deal to me. Kenny does too. I can't leave Arturo out either. Matt, there is a reason why you are first in my top list. You're like my distant best friend in a musical sense. I know you, like Kenny, have made me feel I matter and am appreciated. This touches me. Kenny knows how I feel too. I hope to God we do meet, speak and have a lasting friendship that's full of music. I support you wholeheartedly.
Love,
Christopher
Matt! *glomp* How are you? How is life treating you? I'm ok; job hunting is terrible. It's rather disheartening and besides, I'm broke and bored out of my mind. Not a good combination.
On the bright side I'm writing for a blog (maybe I can interview you! hehehe) and working on my manuscript. So yay. I'm also hoping the Love Wanted Cat/Dog adoptions start up soon bc I want to help volunteer and just play with animals for 6 hours hahaha.
Matt: Hello! Just wanted to stop by, check in on you. Hope that life is treating you well. Take good care of yourself. Cannot wait to see what your next you tube video will be!! I was sad to hear that you did not get that job with that band that was coming to the east coast - it would have been great to see you. We will see each other again someday. Thanks for keeping in touch. Your NJ friend, Mary
