Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Also included with download is an accompanying PDF liner document tracing Bob's life in music, largely though his own words and photographs. Included are some of his philosophies on music and drumming, recollections of the session that yielded DRUM SOLOS, the story of how he came to meet and play with some of the greatest names in jazz history, and memories of his travels across America in the middle years of the century.
"...If you want to hear a different drummer, then Bob Matthews is as different as they come. When he recorded these Solos in 1955, Bob played Melodically and Musically. He believes in taking the best from the past and combining it with the best from the future & that's exactly what he did..."
In New Orleans in October 1955, young Atlantan jazz musician Bob Matthews recorded a series of improvised drum solos for the ever-hungry tape recorder of jazz historian Bill Russell. At the time Bob had already become widely known on the New Orleans jazz scene as a protegé of the great Baby Dodds, one of the originators of jazz drumming. He had played with and befriended Sidney Bechet and Bunk Johnson, and his drumming (whilst clearly inspired by Dodds and firmly within the New Orleans tradition) has a distinct character and quality of its own. Whilst Matthews did perform on sessions with several notable bands during the 1940s and 50s, his DRUM SOLOS record was never commercially released, and has never before been made available to the public.
Included in the download is an accompanying liner document tracing Bob's fascinating life in music, largely though his own words and photographs. Included are some of his philosophies on music and drumming, recollections of the session that yielded DRUM SOLOS, the story of how he came to meet and play with some of the greatest names in jazz history, and memories of his travels across America in the middle years of the century.
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Robert is also a stained-glass artist and has created a type of glass that is just as unique, beautiful & exciting as his Solo and Ensemble Drum work. He has developed six designs for this glass which look like precious jewels. One design is a lamp: the three-dimensional glass stones are backlit, and give off magnificent, rich, warm-coloured light. Matthews is looking for an Investor for this new concept in stained glass. Sales & designs for this stained-glass will cover a wide variety of venues to high end customers in the USA, Europe and the entire world. They are made for homes, restaurants, offices, hospitals, spas & much more. For more information, please contact matthewsglass@comporium.net.
credits
released March 3, 2021
Original tape recording engineered by Bill Russell, New Orleans, 1955.
Transferred to 33 1/3 Microgroove 10" disc, New Orleans, date unknown.
Digital transfer and audio remastering by Nicholas D. Ball at Stantonville, London, 2021.
Liner notes compiled by NDB in correspondence with Bob Matthews.
A high energy recreation of the original 1923 Creole band, without all the snack, crackle and pops of the original 78s. Created with care and enthusiasm by these exceptionally talented London based musicians. Great fun to listen to. mikestevenskt