Matt Johnson is a British keyboardist born on February 3, 1969, who has made a name for himself as a member of the funk and jazz band Jamiroquai.
Growing up, Johnson was exposed to music from a young age, starting to play the piano at the tender age of one and a half years old. His father, a musician himself, would often play music at home, and Johnson would later recall being taught by a 90-year-old piano teacher.
Johnson's musical influences are diverse, ranging from Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis to Squarepusher. Before joining Jamiroquai, he was a writer and performer for several bands, including Sunray and Nu Hope, and even wrote and produced songs for artists such as Alexia.
Johnson's journey with Jamiroquai began in 2002, when he auditioned for the band and was recommended by Simon Katz, a previous guitarist. His audition was a success, and he went on to become a songwriter and member of the band.
On May 2, 2002, Johnson officially joined Jamiroquai, replacing the founding member Toby Smith as keyboardist. Over the years, he has worked closely with the band's lead singer, Jay Kay, producing and co-writing songs for the group's albums, including 2017's Automaton.
In addition to his work with Jamiroquai, Johnson has also collaborated with other artists, including singer-songwriter Julian Perretta, with whom he co-wrote and produced the debut album Stitch Me Up. He has also worked with Jon Regen, producing his 2019 album Higher Ground.
In 2020, Johnson released three singles to promote his new album, With the Music, which was released worldwide on July 20. The album received critical acclaim, with Sound on Sound magazine describing Johnson as "one of the most talented and prolific keyboard players of the last 20 years."
In his personal life, Johnson is married to Tanya Burke, whom he wed on July 18, 2006.
Throughout his career, Johnson has established himself as a talented and versatile keyboardist, with a wide range of influences and a knack for producing and co-writing hit songs.
