Biography
Mathewson was born into an unusually musical household and at eight years old he was studying classical piano. He continued to study and perform classical piano until he reached sixteen, having started playing bass guitar a year earlier. His talent was noted and encouraged by the Shetland musician, Peerie Willie Johnson.
In 1962, Mathewson was in Germany playing professionally with a Scottish Dixieland band. In London he also performed with various jazz and R&B bands throughout the early 1960s. Around this time he was also a member of The Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band.
In 1966 Mathewson became a member of the Tubby Hayes band, with which he performed until 1973. From 1975 on in to the 1990s, he was frequently a participant in various Ronnie Scott recordings and concerts.
In 1983, he appeared on his old friend Dick Morrissey's solo album After Dark with Jim Mullen, John Critchinson, Martin Drew and Barry Whitworth.
On 11 February 2007 a benefit concert was held for Mathewson, who was reportedly recovering from two broken hips, a broken wrist and a burst artery.
Read more about this topic: Ron Mathewson
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