George Matthews

• Name — George Matthews • Born — September 23, 1912 • Birthplace — Dominica, British West Indies • Died — June 28, 1982 (aged 69) • Place of death — New York City, New York, U.S. • Genre — Jazz • Instruments — Trombone

Matthews was born in the British West Indies on September 23, 1912 and immigrated to the United States as a child. He grew up in New York City where he was trained as a musician at the Martin Smith School of Music from 1927-1931. Matthews was adept on tuba, trumpet, and trombone. He received classical training in New York City and played with local dance and jazz bands before joining Tiny Bradshaw's group in the early-1930s. He worked later in the 1930s with Willie Bryant, Louis Armstrong, Chick Webb, and Ella Fitzgerald. After World War II, Matthews worked extensively with Count Basie, then joined Erskine Hawkins's group in the early 1950s. In the 1960s he played with Lucille Dixon and Clark Terry, among others.