Dr. Matthew Lau enjoys an international performing & teaching career. He has pushed the contemporary vibraphone aesthetic through unique commissions and solo recitals. Iñaki Sebastian Elite Mallets manufactures his signature vibraphone mallets, which are specifically for the contemporary vibraphonist.

I have been actively commissioning large-scale contemporary vibraphone works. Two of them are Loops for Vibes & Live Electronics (2019) by Von Hansen, and 22.4 by James Boznos “OZNO”. Both of them have mixed musical styles that I love into a challenging piece. Loops was inspired by disco and electropop music from Spain & Mexico in the late 80s, while 22.4 was written in the language of the avant-garde European style of Nono, Donatoni, and Berio. I actively tour around the world performing these new pieces together with a diverse program of vibraphone masterpieces, raising awareness of this instrument in the non-jazz realm.

Aside from my solo career, I am the co-founder of Hong Kong-based percussion group The Up:Strike Project. Since inception our goal is to rethink percussion music and enhance the overall experience. One of the biggest projects we are working on now (for November) is our cocktail-pairing concert. We pair 2 bespoke cocktails according to the style of the music we will perform. The theater will be transformed into a cozy space with custom-made seating furniture for the audience. Everything from the cocktail recipe, can design, set furniture etc. are carefully thought out for this occasion.

Please check out my website and social media at:

www.matthewlaumusic.com

www.instagram.com/matthewlaumusic

John Mark Piper, designer/inventor of the Musser/Piper vibraphone, led the way for many innovations and improvements for the vibraphone. PIPER is also known for his original vibraphone solos, his book “The Shapes and Patterns of Music”, educational magazine articles, and his critically acclaimed solo vibraphone recording “Just A Step Away”.  PIPER is returning to the music scene after a long hiatus of adventures, which included a 5-year deployment to the South Pole and McMurdo Station Antarctica while serving in the fire/rescue service.

While in Antarctica, I spent a lot of time practicing, writing, and dreaming up new designs for the vibraphone. Before deploying in 2015, I designed and built a unique vibraphone to take to the South Pole. While at the South Pole and McMurdo Station, I had the honor of playing many concerts for some of the world’s leading scientists. 

Now, my focus is to make more music at home that expresses my adventures abroad and have an impact on the way music is monetized while spreading “Good Vibes”, wherever I can. The PIPERvibe slogan is “Good Vibes Resonate at PIPERvibe.com”.  For more information on my thoughts of monetization, click here.

One of the ways I am spreading good vibes is by helping other vibe players raise money to buy things I supply. The first person I am helping is Jen Martinez-Bre who suffers from a spinal condition, which causes her to be shorter than most. Due to her condition, Jen needs a shorter vibraphone. She currently stands on reams of paper, then tapes a box to the top of the pedal, so she can play a standard height vibraphone. I purchased a used M55 and am redesigning it for her, so she can play it more comfortably. It will also have all my upgrades to make it a state-of-the-art instrument. Currently, we have raised $995.00, by selling “Good Vibes” on my website. “Good Vibes” are donations to help vibe players purchase what I can supply. We need at least $2505.00 more to break even with Jen’s project.  Even if I do not raise enough money to pay for it, I am committed and will present the completed “Jen Vibe” to her later this year. 

I have many upgrades and improvements for the vibraphone that I have made for my personal instruments, and now I offer them at my website for others to purchase. These inventions include springless string clamps, shock absorbing bar posts, a gel pad, and pedal options. If a vibes player does not have the money to pay for it, I sell “Good Vibes” to help them pay for it. 

To learn more please visit: www.PIPERvibe.com

To make a “Good Vibes” Donation for the Jen Vibe please visit: https://www.pipervibe.com/donate

To learn more about Jen’s challenges: https://www.pipervibe.com/news​​