ronnie mathews
One of the most prestigious pianists of the last 40 years … and yet one of those essential contributors to the puzzle of Jazz history who has not received due recognition. It seems Ronnie Mathews would be more a household name than it is, for his lofty investment into Jazz. According to the New York Daily News Ronnie Mathews is another stalwart figure who has yet to receive the proper recognition.” His years of touring and his many albums, both as leader and sideman, are overwhelming in number. Critics have showered accolades upon his name and affectionately compare him to fellow pianists Thelonius Monk and Bud Powell, with a sprinkle of McCoy Tyner. Not that Ronnie ever imitated them, but rather, that he is in league with these Jazz greats.
In his twenties, Ronnie was already an accomplished player who toured internationally and recorded with the likes of Max Roach, Freddie Hubbard and Roy Haynes. He was also a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in the late 1950’s through the 60’s. By thirty, he began teaching Jazz piano and led workshops, clinics and master classes at Long Island University , New York City. Besides Dexter Gordon and Clark Terry, he toured and recorded with several Louis Hayes projects in the 70’s, like the Louis Hayes-Woody Shaw Quintet & Louis Hayes-Junior Cook Quintet. Of the three Louis Hayes recordings that feature Ronnie, his original compositions can be heard on “The Real Thing” (Muse).
One of the highlights of his career and longest associations, was with the Johnny Griffin Quartet. In Ronnie’s own words, ” This was a very, very special group.” For almost five years [1978-1982] he was an integral part of Johnny Griffin’s Quartet and forged lasting relationships with Johnny, Kenny Washington and Ray Drummond. The New York Times describes Ronnie as “ a provocative challenge to Mr. Griffin and the energizer of the group…” . One of the few Johnny Griffin recordings that features Ronnie’s original composition is “To the Ladies” (Galaxy).
In the 80’s, 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 the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland throughout France , Belgium , Italy and most recently at the 2000 Cuban Jazz Festival in Havana , collaborating with Chucho Valdes and Irakere. He also toured with Freddie Hubbard, and Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nations Band. One sign of the broad scope of talent and musical amiability, is his position as pianist for the Tony Award winning Broadway musical “Black and Blue” in 1989. And Broadway wasn’t his only cross-media project; in 1990, Mathews was one of the artists, who recorded on Spike Lee’s movie, “MO’ better blues”.
After a stint touring and recording with Clifford Jordan Big Band in the early ’90’s, Ronnie joined T.S. Monk, Jr. for eight years of touring and recording. Gleaming reviews of the T.S. Monk Band never failed to complement Mathews. Chicago Tribune considered Ronnie “the soul of the band…who’s angular romanticism provides the horn players with a lush, spicy foundation…” Three CD’s have been recorded with T.S. Monk Jr. Band. “Charm” is one recording of T.S. that has Ronnie Mathews’ offerings on
To date, Ronnie tours extensively both as a leader and sideman, and can be found at anyone of the major festivals across the globe. Mathews is a well-seasoned composer and does master classes and clinics whenever the opportunity arises. In 1999 his book “Easy Piano Solos” and “Easy Intermediate piano arrangements of Thelonious Monk” (thirty songs in total), were published by Hal Leonard Books. In the summer of 2000 Mr. Mathews toured Europe with a ten piece concert band playing the music of Thelonious Monk and continued his tour of France and Belgium with his own trio. As well as performing as a Jazz pianist, Ronnie co-starred in the play “The Devil’s Music” as Bessie Smith’s piano player [Mr. Pickles], at the Penguin Theatre, N.Y. He has also played and continues to work with special project bands of Don Sickler’s, performing music of Kenny Durham, Hank Mobley, Harold Land, Clifford Brown, and Billy Higgins throughout NYC Following a prosperous 40-year career, Mathews continues to make an impact on the art of Jazz.