There were bass players and there were bass players and then there was Ron Mathewson possibly the best of them all. The news that he left us on Thursday (Dec. 3) as yet another victim of Covid-19 was not so much a shock as a surprise that he'd lived so long given his other health problems that had affected him over the years.
I have fond memories of hearing him play with bands ranging from Alex Welsh to Tubby Hayes. The last time I can recall was at Caedmon Hall in Gateshead with the Ronnie Scott Band. This was one of those memorable concerts as indeed most concerts were when Ron was on board. This was in May 1982 (see photo).
He was, as has been pointed out in other obituaries, always good for a quote. This one came from the January 2008 Jazz UK magazine,
"I was in bed with this girl when Getz called up from the Savoy Hotel. I wasn't concentrating and wouldn't have accepted the money if I had been." - (Jazz UK January 2008).
Sadly missed, may he Rest In Peace.
Ron Mathewson was 76.
Lance
2 comments :
R.I.P. Ron Mathewson
So sorry to read about Ron's demise.
Like so many I first saw him with the Alex Welsh Band in the 1960s (in my case at the Manchester Sports Guild), with guest slots including Rex Stewart and Bud Freeman.
You may also have seen him backing Roland Kirk in the Premier Percussion tour in February 1969 - I saw that show in Manchester but I think it may have also come to Newcastle.
He also appeared at Darlington Arts Centre on 21 October 1987, backing James Moody as part of the 2nd Darlington Jazz Festival.
Peter Bevan
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