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Will Matthews

Kansas City native Will Matthews is the guitarist for the world famous Count Basie Orchestra, joining the group in 1996 under the direction of trombonist Grover Mitchell to fill the coveted chair of the late legendary guitarist and composer, Freddie Green who was with the band for over fifty years.

Matthews has traveled and toured all over the world and has played on many studio recordings with the group, including two 'Grammy' winning recordings, Count Basie Orchestra Live at Manchester Guild in 1997 and Count Plays Duke 1999, as well as the 'Grammy' nominated recording Swing Shift in 2000

The Guitarist has played every major festival, concert hall and theatre in the world and has also had the opportunity to play one-nighters with a variety of artists coming through Kansas City such as Charles Earland, Freda Payne, Arthur Prysock, Jimmy Witherspoon, Carmen Bradford, Kevin Mahogany, and Bobby Watson.

In 1996 Matthews was invited to perform at the Royal Palace in Bangkok, Thailand for King Bhumbibol, along with other members of the Basie Orchestra, Benny Carter and Frank Foster. In 1997 he performed with the group for President William J. Clinton's second inaugural.

During his tenure with the band Matthews has performed with a who's who of artists such as Joe Williams, Frank Wess, Curtis Fuller, George Benson, Kenny Burrell, Milt Jackson, Jimmy Cobb, Hank Jones, Rufus Reed, John Faddis, Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Lou Donaldson, Dorothy Donegan, Tom Scott, John Pizzarelli, Regina Carter, Nancy Wilson, Patti Austin, Rosemary Clooney, Dianne Reeves, Nnenna Freelon, Marlena Shaw, and Ledisi to name a few.

During the 1950's and 60's the classic Hammond B-3 organ, guitar, drums format emerged and has played a big role in the evolution of jazz music, and with the addition of the saxophone to the line-up augmenting it to a quartet, the sound became very popular with players ranging from Wild Bill Davis, Bill Doggett to Jimmy Smith. Most of the great jazz guitarists have recorded using this format as it seems that the guitar and organ go together like hand in glove and so I felt the need to be a part of the continuum of this great tradition with the release of my latest recording on the ARC label with the legendary organist from the Wes Montgomery Trio, Mel Rhyne and saxman Bobby Watson who was a member of the Art Blakey Jazz Messenger group and later formed his own groups, Horizon and the Live and Learn band.

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Marlena Shaw, Will Matthews, Glendale Jazz Festival, and More

Jazz This Week: Marlena Shaw, Will Matthews, Glendale Jazz Festival, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

If you'd like to hear some jazz as part of your Memorial Day weekend, there are a number of noteworthy shows coming up over the next few days in and around St. Louis. Let's go to the highlights:The week's best-known headliner is singer Marlena Shaw (pictured), who's in town to perform tonight through Saturday at Jazz at the Bistro. Shaw's music encompasses jazz, soul, R&B, gospel, pop and many other influences; for more on her, and some performance ...

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Music Industry

'ASR Records Signs Count Basie Orchestra Guitarist, Will Matthews

'ASR Records Signs Count Basie Orchestra Guitarist, Will Matthews

Source: All About Jazz

Kansas City USA -- -- ASR RECORDS announces that Will Matthews has officially joined its Roster of Artists and Producers. Matthews, who is the guitarist for the world-famous Count Basie Orchestra, contacted 'ASR RECORDS Co-founder, Alaadeen on May 7 inquiring about joining the label. Alaadeen immediately approved the deal. “... I'm looking forward to being a part of the 'ASR family," Matthews stated in an email written to the label. The GRAMMY Award winning guitarist joins a Jazz label that ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

ORIGINALS

ARC - Artists Recording Collective
2024

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Count On Swingin'

Self Produced
2009

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