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.
Having just released his debut full-length CD Horizon (Quiet Thunder Records) on March 13th, this twenty-three year old wonder has already established impressive credentials: Nearly 30,000 fans on MySpace; chosen as a featured artist by NOKIA Corp. with his music included in their official Podcast at MIDEM 2007; a finalist on MTV “Duets” with Vanessa Carlton; 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”).
But... it's live performance where Matthew really shines. 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, or solo (as he will be on his upcoming Summer 2007 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. "Scared of Love" hits even closer to home, having been written for a beloved uncle who tragically took his own life in 2005.
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.”
