Matthew Lau

Hailed for his “soulful and technically impressive solo” at the Aspen Music Festival, award-winning percussionist Dr. Matthew Lau is known for high-caliber performances with a whimsical twist. As a queer Asian artist, he challenges traditional narratives and career paths. Lau serves on the Board of Advisors and Keyboard Committee for The Percussive Arts Society and the Board of Directors for The Vibraphone Project Inc. He co-founded Hong Kong's The Up:Strike Project and is part of the Fisher/Lau Project. Matthew has performed and taught internationally in the USA, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Taiwan, Spain, Australia, and Russia. He has received grants from the Boston Foundation and Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and was named New Artist of the Year. Dr. Lau is a Premier Artist of Marimba One, Artist Endorser for Black Swamp Percussion, and Signature Artist for Encore/Salyers Mallets.
IDENTITY—Reimagining Contemporary Vibraphone Music

Session Description:

IDENTITY is a 45-minute multimedia program featuring custom cinematic visuals and electronics, showcasing the vibraphone’s versatility through iconic repertoire alongside new commissions. Throughout my artistic journey, I was often told to be the “Asian marimba player” or an “accurate audition machine." I faced discrimination for performing pieces that challenged the status quo and heard repeatedly that a solo career was impossible—unless it was jazz. IDENTITY manifests as a project of perseverance and resilience, embodying my journey as a queer person-of-color, challenging stereotypes and societal expectations. The program flows without pause and embraces a unique musical hybridity, merging generative visuals with Reich’s Vermont Counterpoint, magical realism with Lopez’s Cálculo, and Spanish disco-pop with virtuosic riffs in my commission of Hansen’s Gr@w£ix. Lauricella’s Surreal Portraits blends Italian spectralism with striking visuals by XUAN. This experience transcends boundaries of genre, race, sexuality, and class—as a queer Asian immigrant, I embody that truth.

Session Category:

  • Keyboard

Date:

Friday, November 14, 2025

Time:

9:00 AM

Location:

Wabash

Session Type:

Daytime Showcase Concert

Session Format:

Live