Matthew Kern began playing the piano at the age of three. Originally from
the Washington D. C. area, he served as the house pianist for the
Nordstrom in downtown Portland for nearly ten years. One of the Northwest’s
most recognizable and popular musicians, Matthew provides music for a wide
variety of private parties and events and has performed at numerous local
venues including Pazzo Ristorante, the Multnomah Athletic Club, the Waverly
Club, the Racket Club, the Hilton Portland, Portland’s White House,
the Heathman, Benson, and Governor Hotels, the Portland City Grill, and
many, many more.

In June of 2003 Matthew released his first CD: afterhours. This release is
a romantic collection of songs that showcase Matthew’s unique blend of
technical versatility and emotional intimacy. The selections range from
jazz standards such as “If I Had You” to songs by Elton John and Sting
right up to the present moment with a haunting rendition of the
Norah Jones hit “Don’t Know Why.” His second cd is a beautiful collection
of holiday favorites that captures both the joy and the melancholy of
the season. Both cds are both relaxing yet compelling and reveal new
pleasures with repeated listenings.

Matthew was raised on the music of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole,
Ella Fitzgerald and jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong. He specializes in
these standards, but he is equally adept with pop, rock, new age, and
r&b including contemporary music such as John Legend, Coldplay,
and Amy Winehouse. Whatever the genre, Matthew has a style that is
unique and instantly recognizable.

Young, talented and friendly, Matthew enjoys a busy career providing
music for events throughout the Northwest. His music has been praised
as “wildly romantic” and “wonderful” by The Oregonian and adds a
touch of class to any establishment or occasion.