Matthew “King” Kiser

My music will create an atmosphere that is sure to make your event memorable for all of your patrons and clients. I take pride in my musical versatility and ability to perform music from all genres. Such as calypso, reggae, jazz, pop, funk and more. Whether it’s a Caribbean/island themed party or a cocktail hour at a wedding, I’ve got you covered. I am dedicated to showcasing the beauty and versatility of the Steelpan (Steel Drums)!

Born in Dothan, Alabama and raised in Severn, Maryland, Matthew Kiser’s musical journey began in the fourth grade, when he picked up the trumpet in his elementary school band. Although he enjoyed playing the trumpet, he would not find his true instrument until high school. When he joined the Old Mill High School Steelband, directed by Mike Miller. He fell in love with the steelpan and picked it up very quickly.

That same year, his future professor and world-renowned Steel Pannist, Liam Teague, performed with the Steelband as a guest artist. Matthew was captivated by his playing and was deeply inspired. Over the next couple of years, Matthew kept practicing and performed with the group all over the state of Maryland and beyond. He met and performed with legends of the steelpan world, such as Ken “Professor” Philmore, Ellie Mannette, Victor Provost, and Gary Gibson. At the end of Matthew’s junior year, he learned about the steelpan program at Northern Illinois University. NIU was the only university in the country where you could obtain a bachelors and master’s degree with the steelpan as your primary instrument. Matthew graduated from Old Mill High School in 2017, ready to take on his new journey at NIU.

Over the course of four years, Matthew rose through the challenges given to him at NIU. Taking musical and life advice from Liam Teague, Clifford Alexis, and Yuko Asada, he developed critical skills necessary to make it as a performing musician. Being a member of the world renown NIU Steelband and Steelpan Studio, Matthew was required to learn a large amount of diverse repertoire. In turn, developing him into a stellar sight reader.

Classical, Jazz, Calypso, Reggae and Funk, were just some of the genres Matthew explored in his studies. While in his undergraduate studies at NIU, Matthew had incredible performance opportunities, such as playing with the Chicago Sinfonietta, Victor Provost, and Leon Foster Thomas. In addition to these group performances, Matthew often performed as a soloist. Performing classical repertoire such as movements from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, accompanied by the NIU Steelband and Steel Pan Studio. He has also performed some of the most challenging pieces written for the instrument, such as “A Visit to Hell”, “Raindrops” and “Trying Ah Ting”, all composed by Liam Teague. His senior year, he debuted his first Steelband arrangement of the Bee Gee’s 1977 hit “How Deep Is Your Love”.

One of Matthew’s main focuses during the latter years of his undergraduate studies was improvisation, specifically within a jazz context. Matthew learned a number of jazz standards throughout his studies and performed with a jazz combo on his senior recital, performing his own arrangements of Victor Young’s “Beautiful Love”, Charlie Parker’s “Confirmation” and Johnny Green’s “Body and Soul”. Matthew graduated with a B.M in Music Performance in the spring of 2021 and headed back to NIU to obtain a master’s degree in jazz studies, with the steelpan as his primary instrument. He is the first official jazz steelpan major in NIU’s illustrious history.

In his graduate studies, Matthew began to learn under Professor Reginald Thomas. Where he began to study deeply on the art of improvisation, as well as composing and arranging his own music. He now has several more arrangements written for jazz combo and big band, such as “Lullaby of Birdland”, “There Will Never Be Another You”, “Estaté”, and a blues composition of his own entitled “Walkin’ Along”.

In (phone number hidden)3, Matthew’s performing career began to take off, as he performed in venues located in Chicago, Madison, and Milwaukee. Playing a variety of music, in solo and group settings, in order to fulfill his goal of legitimizing the instrument and showcasing its versatility. He is currently a member and integral part of the Panchromatic Steelband, which is based in Madison, Wisconsin. In the summer of 2022, Matthew performed with Panchromatic and guest artist Andy Narell, who is known as one of the best Steel Pannist’s and Jazz musicians in the world. In addition to his freelance gigs with other groups, Matthew founded his own jazz combo, named Steel Connection. With the goal of producing his own album in the near future.

Throughout his studies and the beginnings of his career, Matthew has also been a dedicated educator. Teaching Steel Pan lessons for the Community School of the Arts at NIU, as well as his own private lessons. Matthew has worked with several high, middle, and elementary school Steelband’s as a guest artist and looks forward to doing more workshops in the future. On top of this, he is also the music director of the Newman Catholic Student Center, just off of NIU’s campus. Where he performs each weekend and directs the choir and other musicians of the parish. Matthew is expected to graduate with his masters from NIU in spring of 2023 and plans to continue his work as a music director, educator, and freelance musician.

I need access to electrical outlets and protection from the elements if the event is outdoors.