Matt Peterson
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, 2025His 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, 2024Excellent 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, 2024Decent 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, 2023Wonderful 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, 2023Matt
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.
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.
Upcoming booked events
June 2026
06
Saturday
Wedding Reception
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Michigan City, IN
Past booked events
September 2025
12
Friday
Wedding Ceremony
5:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
July 2025
19
Saturday
Anniversary Party
5:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Willow Springs, IL
April 2025
12
Saturday
Wedding Cocktail Hour
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
January 2025
18
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
12:30pm - 2:00pm
•
Delavan, WI
September 2024
15
Sunday
Anniversary Party
12:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Westchester, IL
March 2024
10
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Oak Park, IL
October 2023
29
Sunday
Anniversary Party
5:00pm - 8:30pm
•
St Charles, IL
06
Friday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Elmhurst, IL
September 2023
02
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
1:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Lisle, IL
August 2023
19
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 5:30pm
•
Oswego, IL
July 2023
29
Saturday
Wedding Reception
6:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Mount Prospect, IL
June 2023
17
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:30pm - 3:30pm
•
Lisle, IL
May 2023
21
Sunday
Worship Service
10:00am - 11:00am
•
Skokie, IL
April 2023
01
Saturday
Wedding Cocktail Hour
3:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Madison, WI
February 2023
11
Saturday
Holiday Party
5:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Naperville, IL
December 2022
17
Saturday
Christmas Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Palos Park, IL
03
Saturday
Christmas Party
3:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Lisle, IL
01
Thursday
Christmas Party
10:30am - 1:00pm
•
Geneva, IL
October 2022
06
Thursday
House Party
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Elgin, IL
September 2022
13
Tuesday
Corporate Event
11:30am - 1:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
July 2022
16
Saturday
Reunion
6:30pm - 10:00pm
•
Bartlett, IL
June 2022
18
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Joliet, IL
07
Tuesday
Corporate Event
6:00pm - 6:45pm
•
Chicago, IL
October 2021
16
Saturday
Wedding Reception
7:00pm - 9:00pm
•
St Charles, IL
September 2021
18
Saturday
Studio Session
1:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Batavia, IL
May 2021
16
Sunday
Wedding Reception
10:00am - 3:00pm
•
Joliet, IL
December 2019
28
Saturday
Wedding Cocktail Hour
4:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Geneva, IL
22
Sunday
Religious Celebration
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Naperville, IL
06
Friday
House Party
6:30pm - 8:00pm
•
Naperville, IL
November 2019
07
Thursday
Corporate Event
5:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Geneva, IL
September 2019
21
Saturday
Cocktail Party
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Lombard, IL
February 2019
23
Saturday
Wedding Reception
3:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
September 2018
29
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:30pm - 4:30pm
•
South Barrington, IL
December 2017
23
Saturday
Christmas Party
3:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Aurora, IL
November 2017
04
Saturday
Surprise
8:00pm - 11:30pm
•
Naperville, IL
October 2017
21
Saturday
Religious Celebration
12:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Burbank, IL
14
Saturday
Wedding Reception
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
June 2017
20
Tuesday
Cocktail Party
8:30pm - 9:30pm
•
Mundelein, IL
December 2016
11
Sunday
Cocktail Party
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Clarendon Hills, IL
October 2016
30
Sunday
Festival
8:30pm - 9:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
August 2016
24
Wednesday
Dinner Party
6:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Kildeer, IL
July 2016
16
Saturday
Anniversary Party
7:00pm - 11:00pm
•
Westmont, IL
June 2016
28
Tuesday
Concert
6:00pm - 6:45pm
•
Palatine, IL
September 2015
26
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Chicago, IL
January 2015
31
Saturday
Birthday Party
4:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Naperville, IL
December 2014
12
Friday
Christmas Party
8:00am - 11:00am
•
St Charles, IL
October 2014
04
Saturday
Wedding Cocktail Hour
2:00pm - 7:00pm
•
San Pedro, CA
February 2014
28
Friday
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.