World United Music: Matthew Jordan

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Matthew Jordan

About: Matthew Jordan

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.”

And so, 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.

Since releasing his debut CD Horizon (Quiet Thunder Records) several years back, Jordan has already established impressive credentials: several National tours with high profile gigs at clubs such as The Bitter End in New York City; having his music used on MTV, and in International ads for the Nokia N96; a finalist on MTV “Duets” with Vanessa Carlton; and a starring role in Five For Fighting’s iconic music video “100 Years” in which he plays the wistful 15 year old pianist (“Fifteen – there’s still time for you”).

But most recently, it's Jordan's presence on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/matthewjordanmusic) that has enabled him to reach out to enthusiastic new sets of ears. As a YouTube partner with nearly 45,000 subscribers, Matthew's music has begun making its way to all corners of the globe. Every week, hundreds of new listeners leave glowing comments on Jordan's videos, whether covers or originals.

"This whole YouTube thing has just been awesome," he says with excitement. "I had no idea how much it would take over my life, but I'm so glad it has. Not only are the fans amazing, but I've also had the chance to collaborate with incredibly talented artists from all over the country, and even the world. People who I never would have met without YouTube. Lots of people don't realize what a great community of musicians exists in the YouTube universe.”

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.”

Now, having just released a brand-new EP, Our Time, Jordan looks forward to what 2012 brings and is hoping to get back on the road again soon.

Influences:

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!

What they are saying:

"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 22 year old wonder." - Steven Stewart, Nokia Music Supervisor, Helsinki, Finland

CONTACT: http://www.matthewjordan.fourfour.com/contact