Neighbor: Young Oakley boy a budding singing sensation

By Roni Gehlke
Since he was 4 years old, Matthew's mother, Evelyn Parry-Jones, has been acting as his singing coach, finding the best music style that will work for him. For now, that style runs toward jazz and swing. Matthew used his talents last week performing for California State Sen. Dr. Leland Yee, D-San Mateo, at a dinner in his honor, singing Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley hits.
"He (the senator) called me a playboy," Matthew said when remembering the evening's events.

"The audience was really in the groove."

Matthew keeps a pretty busy schedule these days. Not only is he a fourth-grade student at Oakley's Laurel Elementary School, he also spends quite a bit of time practicing his talents. He has been active singing at various venues for the past few months. He is also active in two choirs. One with his church, the Heavenly Harmonies Choir at Golden Hills in Brentwood, and another with his school. Matthew also takes hip hop classes at the Nick Rodriguez Center and attends an international school for acting and modeling in San Francisco every Saturday.

Born in the Philippines, Matthew and his family moved to Colchester, Essex, England two days after his first birthday and lived there until eight months ago when they moved to Oakley. He was featured as one of the 10 most beautiful babies in the Philippines by Good Housekeeping magazine.

"Matthew was called BKC's very own singing sensation when he performed 'Jailhouse Rock' at the First Dinner and Dance fundraising for orphans in Philippines," his mother said.

In just the short time he has lived in the states, Matthew has been busy working on making a name for himself locally. In August he was a special guest vocalist at an Antioch Woman's Club fundraiser; he also performed at the Adobo Festival in Stockton and sang with Antioch's Romano Marchetti Orchestra.

In September Matthew was one of the performers in the 15th Annual Fil-Am Friendship Celebration in Daly City.

"He made the audience groove when he performed Elvis Presley's 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Proud Mary.' He also launched his Neil Diamond classic 'Sweet Caroline,' " his mother said.

On Nov. 12 Matthew will again perform for the Antioch Woman's Club. Parry-Jones said the members of the group will pass the hat for a fundraiser Matthew is working on so that the children from his class can go on a trip to Fort Sutter in Sacramento in May 2010.

If Matthew had to choose his favorite singer right now, it would be Elvis Presley, and his favorite song to perform would be "Proud Mary," he said.