← Back to Illusionists search

Matt Peterson

Warrenville, IL

Contact for rates

Jazz Pianist

Travels up to 150 miles

Get a free quick quote

Promotional video thumbnail 1 for Matt Peterson

Blackbird

Promotional video thumbnail 2 for Matt Peterson

Finger Breaker

Promotional video thumbnail 3 for Matt Peterson

Matt Peterson - That's What I Like (Bruno Mars Cover)

Promotional video thumbnail 4 for Matt Peterson

Matt Peterson - Ohana (Original Composition)

Promotional video thumbnail 5 for Matt Peterson

Matt Peterson - Clair de Lune

Photo by Wes Craft

Photo by Wes Craft

Photo by Wes Craft

photos by Milan Lazic www.wsphotography.us

Photo by Mike Lee, Tall and Small Photography

Photo by Mike Lee, Tall and Small Photography

Photo by Mike Lee, Tall and Small Photography

Photo by Mike Lee, Tall and Small Photography

photos by Milan Lazic www.wsphotography.us

Photo by Mike Lee

Photo by Wes Craft

Photo by Wes Craft

Photo by Wes Craft

5 Videos 11 Audio 24 Photos

Overview

Matt Peterson is a multi award-winning jazz and classical pianist and organist living in the Chicagoland area. He plays at jazz clubs, concert halls, corporate events, weddings, receptions, dinner parties, anniversaries, and other events, working as a solo artist as well as with vocalists and jazz combos.

Reviews

27 reviews

Susan L.

July 23, 2025

Verified review

His music helped to make the event memorable

Matt played piano for an evening event that included a cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing. He played requests that ranged from jazz, rock, pop, and motown to light classical music. His music was relaxed, yet elegant - the perfect background for conversing with guests and enjoying the evening's anniversary party.

Hired as: Classical Pianist, Jazz Pianist, Keyboard Player, Pianist

Debra S.

September 17, 2024

Verified review

Excellent performance! Thank you.

Our event was for 75th Anniversary dinner for the church. Matt was excellent! He is a very talented pianist and everyone thoroughly enjoyed his music. It was perfect: the pieces he chose were fitting for the event as well as the volume and the length. He arrived early and ready to go. He brought in his equipment and set up very smoothly. I have had many compliments since Sunday concerning Matt's enhancement of our event. We all would highly recommend him to anyone wanting a musician for their dinner. Also, Pastor would like to thank him very much for playing "Claire de Lune" by Debussy. He loved it. Also, Matt played it twice!

Hired as: 1930s Era Entertainment, 1940s Era Entertainment, 1950s Era Entertainment, Classical Pianist, Jazz Pianist, Keyboard Player, Pianist

Matt Peterson

Thank you so much Debra!

Auden R.

March 11, 2024

Verified review

Decent organist

Matt was a one of the musicians at my daughter's wedding, and he did a decent job.

Hired as: Organist

Miranda G.

October 11, 2023

Verified review

Wonderful Wedding Pianist!

Matt played all our requested songs and creating the atmosphere we were hoping for! Thanks for being apart of our special day!

Hired as: Keyboard Player, Pianist

Matt Peterson

Thank you Miranda! Congratulations again to you and Chris!

Ann G.

August 21, 2023

Verified review

Matt

Matt was amazing. His added talent to the ceremony made it that much more special. His communication was excellent.

Hired as: Keyboard Player

Matt Peterson

Thank you Ann! It was a pleasure to be a part of this special day.

Write a review

Booking information

Price range: Contact for rates

Languages: English

Gig length: 30 - 420 minutes

What to expect

I strive for the utmost in professionalism, class, and showmanship in my performances. I cater my song selection to the mood and atmosphere of the event and am always willing to take requests from guests.

About

Multi-award-winning pianist Matt Peterson possesses a mastery of classical, jazz, pop, R&b, and soul. From Chopin to Frank Sinatra to Billy Joel to Stevie Wonder, Matt brings a special attention to detail and creative flair to everything he performs. He possesses a unique enthusiasm and professionalism and his encyclopedic repertoire allows him to meet the specific needs of each event and take song requests.

Matt has a Bachelor's Degree in Classical Piano from Wheaton College and a Masters Degree in Jazz Piano from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, where he studied under the Artistic Excellence Scholarship. He is the overall winner of the Ben Heppner Concerto Competition with Gershwin's Concerto in F.

At Indiana University, Matt studied with David Baker, Luke Gillespie, Steve Houghton, and others, and played in the Brent Wallarab Jazz Ensemble, the top jazz ensemble at the school. In 2013, he was invited with to perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

In addition to extensive classical and jazz performance experience, he has played for musical theater productions and film scores, as well as for weddings, corporate events, private parties, and receptions. Matt has played regularly at venues and restaurants in Seattle, Chicago, and Bloomington, and Los Angeles. In the summer of 2013, he played piano in the All-American Band at Disneyland under Ron McCurdy, where he played with jazz luminaries such as Gordon Goodwin, Gregg Field, Peter Erskine, Willie Murillo, John Clayton, and Wycliffe Gordon.

He currently performs with the Joffrey Ballet Company in Chicago for rehearsals, classes, and shows, where he collaborates with some of the top dancers in the country.

He currently lives in the greater Chicagoland IL area where he is an in-demand performer and educator.

He looks forward greatly to working with you!

Additional booking notes

I have my own full 88-key, weighted, Korg Triton LE keyboard and amplifier for gigs that do not have a piano on location.

Services offered

Jazz Pianist 1950s Era Entertainment 1940s Era Entertainment Composer Classical Ensemble Jazz Band Keyboard Player Wedding Band 1930s Era Entertainment Classical Pianist Jazz Pianist Pianist Soundtrack Composer Organist Funeral Music

Upcoming booked events

June 2026

06

Saturday

Wedding Reception

7:30pm - 10:00pm

•

Santa Ana, CA

Set list

Below is a sampling of some of my favorite pieces of music to play. My full repertoire list contains over 3000 tunes in jazz, classical, pop, rock, Latin, R&B and soul styles. Please e-mail me if you would like to see the full list.

Jazz:
In the Mood (Glenn Miller Orchestra)
Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
Misty (Erroll Garner)
Linus & Lucy (Theme from Peanuts) - Vince Guaraldi
My Foolish Heart (Bill Evans)
A Foggy Day (George Gershwin)
I've Got the World on a String (Frank Sinatra)
Chameleon (Herbie Hancock)
At Last (Etta James)
Take Five (Dave Brubeck)
Well You Needn't (Thelonious Monk)
I've Got you Under my Skin (Cole Porter)
Jody Grind (Horace Silver)
Spain (Chick Corea)
Take the A Train (Duke Ellington)
The Girl from Ipanema (Antonio Carlos Jobim)

Classic rock/pop:
Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Don't Stop Believin' (Journey)
Your Song (Elton John)
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (Billy Joel)
Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
Can't Buy me Love - Beatles
Saturday in the Park - Chicago
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
Heard it Through the Grapevine (Smokey Robinson & the Miracles)
Piano Man (Billy Joel)
Just My Imagination (Temptations)
Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)
Blackbird (Beatles)
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder)
You are the Sunshine of My Love (Stevie Wonder)

Contemporary pop:
Leave the Door Open (Bruno Mars)
That's What I Like (Bruno Mars)
Adore You (Harry Styles)
Sucker (Jonas Brothers)
You are the Best Thing (Ray Lamontagne)
If I Ain't Got You (Alicia Keys)
Shape of You (Ed Sheeran)
Don't Stop Now (Dua Lipa)
I'm Yours (Jason Mraz)
Easy on Me (Adele)
My Universe (Coldplay/BTS)
Best Part (Daniel Caesar)

Classical:

Clair de Lune (Debussy)
Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)
Lakmé: El Dúo de la Flor (Delibes)
2 Arabesques (Debussy)
Intermezzo in A Major (Brahms)
Maple Leaf Rag (Scott Joplin)
Nocturne in Eb (Chopin)
Nuvole Bianche (Ludovico Einaudi)
River Flows in You (Yiruma)

Influences and inspiration

Oscar Peterson, Fats Waller, Chick Corea, Brad Mehldau, Elton John, Billy Joel, Gerald Clayton, Ben Folds Five, Jamie Cullum

Setup requirements

Outlets.

Get a free quote