Background
Mathewson was born into an unusually musical household and at eight years old he was studying classical piano.
Mathewson was born into an unusually musical household and at eight years old he was studying classical piano.
Mathewson is best known for his years spent working with Ronnie Scott, but has also done recordings with Stan Getz, Joe Henderson, Ben Webster, Philly Joe Jones, Roy Eldridge, Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans. 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 Rhythm & Blues bands throughout the early 1960s. From 1975 on in to the 1990s, he was frequently a participant in various Ronnie Scott recordings and concerts.
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.
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.