From the age of 3, Matthew John has been a musician. His mother fondly recalls him crawling up to the family upright at his home near Detroit and carefully playing one note at a time, enthralled with the sounds that emerged. She knew, then, that a songwriter was discovering the dawn of his journey. Classically trained throughout grade-school, moments of his education had a profound effect on this burgeoning talent. "My teacher was the choir leader at our church, and lessons were on Sundays after the last service. I was granted time after everyone left, but before the lesson actually began, to just play my heart out in the big, open sanctuary. This was my favorite time in church; it was through music that I learned how to communicate the language of my soul, and a language of God." This foundation is still remarkably present in his music today, as it has been described as "soulful, haunting, poignant, and ultimately triumphant." The piano has been a faithful friend throughout his life, and it remains by his side as he takes this leap into a career in music. Starting in Detroit, Matthew has made his way around the country. He moved to Los Angeles after teaching in the inner city of New Orleans. "It was through this experience that I really met the heart of America. It's a painfully sad reality, to see the glaring disparities in the quality of education that exist in this country. And yet, despite all the obstacles, my students taught me the strength of hope, faith, and the power of perseverance." While in New Orleans, Matthew was also deeply touched by the strong sense of community, especially when it came to music. Jazz, blues, gospel, and soul were simmering around him, and the performer within him came into the limelight.Featured on MTV's Real World New Orleans playing at an open-mike night, a piece of Matthew's music was heard by millions. When his vast swirl of experiences suddenly mixed with national television exposure, Matthew realized his calling was to write and perform music that could illuminate, inspire, and touch the lives of all those who would listen.
