Will Matthews Trio

1600 East 18th Street,Kansas City MO 64108

25 February, 2022

Description

Will Matthews Trio headline two sets in the Blue Room, American Jazz Museum's jazz club. Get To Know Will Matthews Trio In 1996 Matthews joined the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of former Basie band lead trombonist Grover Mitchell, to fill the coveted chair of the late legendary guitarist and composer, Freddie Green, who performed with the Orchestra for over fifty years. Matthews has played on many studio and live recordings with the Orchestra, including two “Grammy Winning” recordings, ‘Live at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild’ in 1997, and ‘Count Plays Duke’ in 1999, as well as the “Grammy Nominated” recording titled ‘Swing Shift’ in 2000. The guitarist has performed at every major jazz festival, concert hall, theatre and night club in the world, touring across Asia, Africa and Europe, as well as the rare honor of performing at the Royal Palace in Bangkok, Thailand for King Bhumibol in 1996. He has also performed for President William J. Clinton’s second inaugural in Washington, DC 1997. Matthews has also had the honor of performing for First Lady Michelle Obama at a Campaign Fundraiser for President Barack Obama in Kansas City, Missouri at the American Jazz Museum in March 2012. Since joining the Orchestra, Matthews has performed with a who’s who list of artists such as the late Joe Williams, Frank Foster, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Frank Wess, Benny Powell, Curtis Fuller, Benny Carter, Hank Jones, Milt Jackson, Lou Donaldson, Kenny Burrell, George Benson, Rufus Reid, Jimmy Cobb, Jon Hendricks, Ernie Andrews, Johnny Mathis, Nancy Wilson, Mary Stallings, Marlena Shaw, Patti Austin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ledisi, Dianne Reeves, Nnenna Freelon, Vanessa Rubin, Rosemary Clooney, Carla Cook, Dorothy Donegan, Diane Schuur, Kurt Elling, Geri Allen, Ledisi, Chick Corea, John Faddis, Wynton Marsalis, Gary Bartz, Regina Carter, Marcus Roberts, Llew Matthews, Norman Simmons, Joey DeFrancesco, Tom Scott, John Pizzarelli, Tito Puente, Neal Hefti, and many others. The guitarist released his debut CD, Will Matthews “Solo” in November 2000, and his second cd project titled ‘Count On Swingin’ was released in 2009 featuring legendary Organist Mel Rhyne, from the original Wes Montgomery Trio, along with former Art Blakey Jazz Messengers member, Bobby Watson, and Indianapolis drummer Kenny Phelps.