Ronnie Mathews

Ronald Mathews (December 2, 1935 in New York City – June 28, 2008 in Brooklyn) was an American jazz pianist who worked with Max Roach from 1963 to 1968 and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He acted as lead in recording from 1963 and 1978–79. His most recent work was in 2008, as both a mentor and musician with Generations, a group of jazz musicians headed by veteran drummer Jimmy Cobb. He contributed two new compositions for the album that was released by San Francisco State University's International Center for the Arts on September 15, 2008.

Ronnie Mathews
Birth nameRonald Mathews
Born(1935-12-02)December 2, 1935
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedJune 28, 2008(2008-06-28) (aged 72)
New York City
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, educator
InstrumentsPiano
LabelsPrestige, East Wind, Bee Hive, Nilva

Critics have compared him to pianists Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, and McCoy Tyner.[1]

Biography

In his twenties, Mathews toured internationally and recorded with Roach, Freddie Hubbard and Roy Haynes. He was also a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the late 1950s through the 1960s. By thirty, he began teaching jazz piano and led workshops, clinics and master classes at Long Island University in New York City. Besides Dexter Gordon and Clark Terry, he toured and recorded on two Louis Hayes projects in the 70's (i.e. the Louis Hayes-Woody Shaw Quintet and the Louis Hayes-Junior Cook Quintet).[2]

One of the highlights of his career, and one of his longest associations, was with the Johnny Griffin Quartet. For almost five years (1978-1982) he was an integral part of this band and forged lasting relationships with Griffin, Kenny Washington (drums) and Ray Drummond (bass). The New York Times described Mathews as "a constant and provocative challenge to Mr. Griffin. [...He] is the energizer of the group".[3] One of the few Johnny Griffin recordings that features Mathews' original compositions is "To the Ladies" (Galaxy).

In the 1980s, Mathews began honing his role as a front man. He performed as a leader in duo, trio and quartet configurations around the world (from New York City to Genova, to the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, and more). He also toured with Freddie Hubbard and Dizzy Gillespie's United Nations Band. Mathews was also involved in cross-media projects: he was pianist for the Tony Award winning Broadway musical, Black and Blue in 1989, and, in 1990, he was one of the artists who recorded for Spike Lee's movie, Mo' Better Blues.[4]

After a stint touring and recording with the Clifford Jordan Big Band in the early 1990s, Mathews joined T.S. Monk for eight years of touring and recording. The Chicago Tribune stated that "The soul of the band [...] is pianist Ronnie Mathews, whose angular romanticism provides the horn players with a lush and spicy foundation for their improvising".[5] Three albums were recorded with the T.S. Monk, Jr. Band, including Charm. Mathews died of pancreatic cancer on June 28, 2008 in Brooklyn.

In 1998, Hal Leonard Books published his collection of student arrangements: "Easy Piano of Thelonious Monk".

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Roland Alexander

With Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

  • Live! at Slug's NYC (1968) (Everest 1977 as Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers)
  • Moanin' (Live) (Laserlight CD 1997) (completely different tunes than Slug's)

With Thomas Chapin

With Larry Coryell

With Kenny Dorham

With Teddy Edwards

With Dexter Gordon

With Johnny Griffin

With Bill Hardman

With Louis Hayes

With Roy Haynes

With Joe Henderson

With Freddie Hubbard

With Sam Jones

With Clifford Jordan

With T. S. Monk

With Frank Morgan

With Lee Morgan

With Sal Nistico

With Charlie Persip

  • Charles Persip and the Jazzstatesmen (Bethlehem 1960)

With Max Roach

With Woody Shaw

With James Spaulding

With Sonny Stitt

References
  1. "Blue Note ROY HARGROVE & ROBERTA GAMBARINI with RONNIE MATTHEWS, GEORGE MRAZ & JIMMY COBB - 2007-01-20". www.bluenote.net.
  2. Yanow, Scott. "Ronnie Mathews | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  3. Wilson, John S. (25 June 1981). "JOHNNY GRIFFIN ON SAXOPHONE". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  4. Keepnews, Peter (July 2, 2008). "Ronnie Mathews, 72, Pianist Who Accompanied Jazz Stars, Dies". The New York Times.
  5. Duckman, David (8 November 1995). "T.S. Monk Jr. and Top Players Impress With Polish, Passion". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
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