Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Classically trained Zachary is not unlike Jim Brickman in his inspirational, classical/jazz-informed compositions for solo piano. While it's clear that this artist can really play, his skills and knowledge are sometimes at odds with the new age simplicity he's after; occasional jazz and classical chords clash, spoiling his intention: 'stress relief music.' Still, Zachary seems a natural for film/TV scoring opps and has three full albums worth of original material. - Michael Dolan
Scribblings is a lovely "George Winston"-type collection of soothing, upbeat piano solos. The tones are clear and light with meandering melody lines that have an improvisational feel. This upbeat feel brings with it a whiff of spring and hope - perhaps exactly what Zachary had in mind when composing the music. - Product Feature
Every now and then a solo piano album comes along that truly stands out as a beautiful and powerful musical statement - and "Every Step Of The Way", this second release by Matthew Zachary, fills the bill.
Zachary has an astounding story to tell: diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer at age 21, his prognosis was poor, but he fought for his life with not only mainstream medicine but (especially) the healing power of music to support him. The cancer went into remission and Zachary's music has been embraced by the healing community as a salutary means of conveying hope for healing and survival.
But what makes Every Step of the Way a must-listen album is how the sheer muscular beauty of these compositions stands on its own. Zachary's performance is self-assured and dynamic; a spirit of joy and triumph suffuses even the quietest of his musical passages. Four of the eleven tracks are improvisational numbers; others, like the lyrical "Followthrough" or the serenely contemplative "Kaleidoscope" are thoughtfully executed tone poems.
In the album's liner notes, Zachary speaks of the joy he finds in exploring the tension between the structure of composition and the chaos of improvisation, a joy no doubt mirrored in his shamanic journey through the chaos of life-threatening illness and the structured choreography of treatment and recovery. Here's to wishing Zachary many years of health to come, and many opportunities to explore these sonic tensions further. - Peter Manzi
Matthew Zachary is a peace healer. - Dr. Deepak Chopra
Matthew Zachary is an inspiration. - Dr. Bernie Siegel
Healing comes in many forms. One of the most universal is music, and Matthew Zachary's compositions are a powerful example. - Dr. Larry Dossey
"Music that communicates hope and the healing power of music." - Musicmakers Featurette
Discography
Intimations, 1997
Scribblings, 1999
Every Step of the Way, 2001
Absolving Destiny, 2006
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Matthew Zachary has been passionate about music since he began playing the piano at age 11. The boy who was inspired by Billy Joel, Stephen Sondheim and George Gershwin spent long hours practicing and dreamed of one day performing his music for audiences around the world.
Six months shy of his college graduation, however, Matthew's faith was tested when he lost all fine motor coordination in his left hand. Diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric brain cancer, Matthew was told he might never walk, let alone play piano again.
Fighting for his life, he began writing music in his head. That music eventually became Scribblings and Every Step of The Way, two critically acclaimed and award-winning solo piano albums inspired by his experiences postdiagnosis.
Ten years, three albums and scores of concerts later, Matthew has beaten the odds and is now living the dream he had as a boy; performing his music and sharing his story with audiences around the world.
In 2004, Matthew founded Steps For Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises awareness for cancer survivorship through music and the performing arts.
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