Palm Beach Society: Coudert Institute gala guests party to sounds of celebrated pianist
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A performance by jazz pianist Matthew Whitaker highlighted the winter gala of the Coudert Institute, a Palm Beach-based current events and cultural series.
The event took place Feb. 9 at The Breakers.
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The evening began with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and conversation in the Magnolia Room before guests moved to the Circle Ballroom.
"The Circle" was decorated in pink, purple and orange uplighting, with tables set with magenta linens and centered with arrangements of hydrangeas and roses in all shades of pink and white.
Institute founder Dale Coudert spoke briefly, welcoming special guests Mayor Keith James of West Palm Beach and West Palm Beach Police Chief Frank Adderley, before introducing board member Ford Lallerstedt.
Lallerstedt, himself a musician, composer and lyricist, introduced featured entertainer Whitaker.
Blind since birth, Whitaker was invited to perform at Stevie Wonder’s induction into the Apollo Theater’s Hall of Fame where he was the winning participant in the “Child Stars of Tomorrow” competition, as part of Amateur Night at the Apollo.
A year later, at just 10 years old, he returned to the Apollo for Fox TV’s revival of "Showtime at the Apollo" in 2016, where he won the audience over with his rendition of Wonder’s classic “I Wish.”
He has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center.
Whitaker and his quintet performed for nearly an hour.
More than 200 people attended.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach Society: Pianist jazzes up Coudert Institute's winter gala
