'ASR Records Signs Count Basie Orchestra Guitarist, Will Matthews

Press Release by: Label Operations

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 was among the very first to pioneer and employ viable uses of 21st Century technologies in the areas of product manufacturing, worldwide music distribution, global marketing and sales of recorded Jazz music.

Will Matthews biography: In the 1980s, the Kansas City born guitarist began playing in groups led by some of the city's world renowned recording artists beginning with the late trumpeter Carmel Jones, who had recorded with Horace Silver. Matthews also played and recorded with violinist Claude 'Fiddler' Williams, who was Count Basie's first guitarist before Freddie Green. In 1989, Matthews had the opportunity to play a concert with pianist/vocalist Jay McShann's big band, and then also perform with McShann's quintet in 2003. Additionally, Matthews played in the quartet and trio of GRAMMY winning pianist and composer, Dr. Ronnell Bright - who after many years of accompanying and recording with vocalist like Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae and serving as musical director for the Flip Wilson and Carol Burnett shows; had decided to make Kansas City his home.

Since the early 1980s he has been performing in various configurations with saxophonist Ahmad Alaadeen - recording on Alaadeen's, 'Blues for RC and Josephine, Too (ASR1001)' release. And, for more than twenty years Matthews has been performing with another longtime mentor, pianist/vocalist, Luqman Hamza; whom he has recorded two projects with: 'When a Smile Overtakes a Frown' and 'The Clear Sounds Of Jazz'. Matthews 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. Matthews has also played guitar and banjo for the ground-breaking opera: “Treminisha”, written by Scott Joplin.

In 1996 Matthews joined the world-famous Count Basie Orchestra, then under the direction of trombonist Grover Mitchell, to fill the coveted chair of the late Freddie Green. Green had been the guitarist in the Count Basie Orchestra for over fifty years. Since joining the Count Basie Orchestra, Matthews has played on numerous recordings, including two “GRAMMY Winning” releases. He has performed at venues and events that include the Royal Palace in Bangkok, Thailand and President William J. Clinton's Second Inaugural. So far during his tenure with the Count Basie Orchestra, Matthews has performed with a literal who's who of artists, including: Joe Williams, Frank Foster, Benny Carter, Milt Jackson, George Benson, Kenny Burrell, Nancy Wilson, Patti Austin, Marlena Shaw, Carmen Bradford, Tony Bennett, Dianne Reeves, Jimmy Cobb, Hank Jones and Nnenna Freelon. Today, Matthews's activities primarily continue to revolve around his performing and touring schedules with the Basie Orchestra.

Matthews is currently completing a brand new CD project that will be commercially released and distributed globally as part of the 'ASR RECORDS front catalogue of titles. His debut recording, 'Will Matthews Solo', was initially released in November of 2000, and will now be reissued and distributed by the label as well.

About the label: 'ASR RECORDS is an American label releasing Jazz artists since the 1990s. The label is a division of Fandeen Publishing Company, Inc. and located in Kansas City. Artists include: Alaadeen, Chris Burnett, Toni Gates, Erica Lindsay, Will Matthews, Sbastien Paindestre, Doug Pierce, Richie Pratt, Sumi Tonooka and Trace Elements. 'ASR RECORDS corporate offices were founded in Kansas City, which remains a place still known around the world as one of the main centers for producing artistic innovation and Jazz music prodigy - both in the past and in the present day. Objectively speaking, 'ASR RECORDS Artists are among the most refreshing original and creative musical talent today. They manage vibrant performing careers. This roster includes award-winning performers, composers and producers. Among these credits are: a Congressional Award, two GRAMMY Awards, Broadway, Film and Television, various individual Songwriting and Composition Awards; as well as, the numerous other significant forms of tangible recognition for superior excellence in the professional field of music. 'ASR RECORDS Artists have consistently made noteworthy contributions in both, national and international arts arenas. A new web portal located at URL: ASRRecords.biz is online and currently under development to add more label content, along with numerous features that include: on demand CD store, history, calendar, news, information, specials, music, videos, mailing list and links.

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