Will Matthews Trio
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.
Matthews has toured all over the world and has played on many 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 "Swing Shift" in 2000.
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.
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 Reid, 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, Charles Earland, Freda Payne,
Arthur Prysock, Jimmy Witherspoon, Carmen Bradford, Kevin Mahogany, and Bobby Watson.
http://www.willmatthews.com/
In addition to performing with legendary artists such as John Lee Hooker and
Dr. Lonnie Smith, Hammond B3 organist Wil Blades has performed and recorded with Melvin Sparks, Idris Muhammad,
Joe Louis Walker, Don Braden, Donald Harrison, Karl Denson, Will Bernard, Scott Amendola,
Charlie Hunter, Stanton Moore, Betty Joplin, Eddie Marshall, Herbie Lewis, Billy Martin,
Johnny Vidacovich, and many others.
Wil has kept the tradition of Jimmy Smith, Larry Young, and "Groove" Holmes alive,
while creating a personal, modern sound.
Wil's debut record, "Sketchy", is now available on Doodlin' Records.
Wil appeared here previously with Ed Cherry.
http://www.wilblades.com/
Drummer Ron Marabuto grew up in the East Bay, playing with and
greatly influenced by his father, John Marabuto, a pianist and arranger busy and
respected in the Bay Area.
After graduating from UC Berkeley in 1974 Ron relocated to NYC
1977-87, where he played with the likes of Pepper Adams, Roland Hanna, Tommy
Flanagan, Duke Jordan, Jerry Dodgion, Frank Wess, Steve Grossman and Sal Nistico.
Back in SF since 1987, he has been active with Bruce Forman,
Smith Dobson, Buddy Montgomery, Rob Schneiderman, Al Plank, Hal Stein, Calvin
Keyes, Warren Gale, Noel Jewkes, Bob Kenmotsu, Gini Wilson, and Walter
Savage, among others.
Ron appeared previously at Chez Hanny with Chuck Metcalf, Mark Levine, Chuck Manning, and the Robb Fisher - Keith Saunders Trio.
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