Herman Matthews

Herman L. Matthews

Photo of Herman Matthews with Hugh Laurie and the Copper Bottom Band percussionist

Mathews with Hugh Laurie and the Copper Bottom Band (2013)
Background information
Born December 28, 1960
Houston, Texas, United States
Genres Rock, blues, jazz, R&B, funk
Occupation(s) Musician, Drummer, Percussionist
Instruments Drums, Percussion
Website hermanmatthews.com
Notable instruments
Drums, Percussion

Herman Matthews (born December 28, 1960 in Houston, Texas) is an American drummer and composer. Matthews works as a session and touring musician, most notably for Tower of Power, Kenny Loggins and toured with Tom Jones for more than 7 years. He began playing drums at the age of seven and has been the backbone of world-class pop, rock, jazz, soul, R&B and funk bands for nearly thirty years.[1]

Career

Matthews has worked with such artists as Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Elton John, Sheryl Crow, Herbie Hancock, Carole King, John Mayall, Spencer Davis, Edgar Winter, Luther Vandross, Rebekah, Bob James, Bobby Kimball, KINA, George Duke, Kirk Whalum, Eric Burdon & The Animals, David Foster, Michael McDonald, Michael Bolton, Patti Austin, Teresa James, Robin Thicke, Angela Winbush, The Isley Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal and Richard Marx.[2] Matthews' work appears on movie and television soundtracks, he was a house-band member for the hit television show, In Living Color.

Matthews released his first solo CD Home At Last in 2007.[3][4] The title track was featured in an episode of the Fox Broadcasting Company crime/drama K-VILLE starring Anthony Anderson and Cole Hauser.[5]

Matthews replaced drummer, Jay Bellerose (Elton John, Bonnie Raitt), for the Hugh Laurie, 2013 - 2014, World Tour. Matthews' first gig with the Copper Bottom Band was for the PBS, "Live On The Queen Mary", broadcast on August 3, 2013.[6] Laurie's 2013 album, Didn't It Rain, peaked Billboard Magazine's, Billboard 200 at #21 and was #1 on Billboard's Top Blues Albums.[7]

Solo albums

Home At Last (2007)

Sample track: "Hold on You"
Herman Matthews: Home at Last (2007)

Sample track: "Cup of Sugar"
Herman Matthews: Home at Last (2007)

Home At Last

  • Released: 2007
  • Format: "LP/CD"
  • Label: Doc Huck-a-Buck Records
  • Producer: Ned Albright & Herman Matthews
No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "I Don't Want to Go Home"  H. Matthews/N. Albright 5:45
2. "Hold on You"  H. Matthews 4:43
3. "Cup of Sugar"  H. Matthews/N. Albright 3:05
4. "We Are Heaven"  H. Matthews/N. Albright 3:48
5. "I am a Drummer From Texas"  H. Matthews 3:42
6. "Not Another Lover"  H. Matthews/N. Albright 3:24
7. "Junk in the Trunk"  H. Matthews 4:03
8. "I've Got a Home"  H. Matthews/P. Settle 3:56
9. "Chop That BBQ"  H. Matthews 1:00
10. "Home at Last"  H. Matthews 3:23
11. "Function at the Junction"  Eddie Holland & Shorty Long 4:32


  • Recorded at: Ned’s Studio Los Angeles, CA

  • Dedicated to: Clifton "Red" Matthews and
    Herman Leslie Matthews Jr.

Primary vocalists [8][9]
  • Herman Matthews -Vocals primary
  • Teresa James - Vocal Ad-Libs, Vocal Harmony
  • Kim Yarbrough - Vocal Ad-Libs
The Hermanators
  • Ned Albright - Vocals (Background)
  • Gia Ciambotti - Vocals (Background)
  • Ben Jaffe - Vocals (Background)
  • Kim Yarbrough - Vocals (Background)

Composers

Production
  • Ned Albright - Producer
  • Bob-A-Lew Songs - Administration (ASCAP)
  • Gardner Knight - Engineer and mixing
  • Orit Harpaz - Photography
  • Herman Matthews - Producer
  • Todd Miller - Engineer ("Cup Of Sugar")
  • Christy Myhre - Design
  • Simon Rhodes - Mastering

Musicians
  • Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews - trombone
  • Ned Albright - foot and hand percussion, organ, piano, wurlitzer
  • André Berry - bass, guitar
  • Karen Briggs - violin
  • Dr. John Ciambotti - bass
  • Charley Drayton - bass
  • Everette Harp - saxophone
  • Jeffrey Hills - tuba
  • Larry Kimpel - bass
  • Gardner Knight - foot stomping, handclapping
  • James Martin - saxophone
  • Herman Matthews - drums, hand, foot and mouth percussion, spoken word
  • Brian Monroney - banjo
  • Ivan Neville - organ
  • Dean Parks - clarinet, guitar, guitar (acoustic), pedal-steel
  • Doug Pettibone - dobro, guitar, soloist
  • Kevin Ricard - percussion, tambourine
  • Lee Sklar - bass
  • Lee Thornburg - trumpet
  • David Woodford - saxophone

Discography

Recording

Herman Matthews recordings [2]
Year Title Primary Artist Instrument(s)
1989The Flipside: Jazz Horn SolosTom BaconDrums
The PromiseKirk WhalumDrums
1991Leap of FaithKenny LogginsDrums, Percussion, Talking Drum
1992Second WindDwight SillsDrums
1993Outside: From the RedwoodsKenny LogginsChoir/Chorus, Drums
PassionAlexander ZonjicDrums
Put on Your Green ShoesVarious artists (Kenny Loggins)Drums ("If you Believe")
Live! The Isley Brothers Drums
1994Angela WinbushAngela WinbushDrum Overdubs, Drums, Drums (Snare),
Overdubs, Toms, Tom-Tom
1995Souled OutTower of PowerDrums, Group Member, Percussion
Tapestry Revisited: A Tribute to Carole KingVarious artists (Richard Marx)Drums ("Beautiful")
IllusionsGeorge Duke Drums ("Money")[10]
1996Premiere ConsultationDoc GynecoHi Hat
Sax for Lovers [Sony]Various artistsDrums
1997Flesh & BoneRichard MarxDrums
Rhythm & BusinessTower of PowerComposer, Drums, Percussion
1998Phil Settle & Friends - Santa Monica PierPhil SettleDrums [11]
1999Everybody on the BusFrancis "Rocco" PrestiaComposer, Drums
Push the RiverLauren EllisDrums
Soul Vaccination: LiveTower of PowerComposer
Urban DreamsUrban Jazz NetworkDrums
What Is Hip?: The Tower of Power AnthologyTower of PowerComposer, Drums
2000Days in Avalon [Signal 21]Richard MarxDrums
The Color of SilenceTiffanyDrums
2002Christi BaeuerleChristi BaeuerleDrums, Loops
Miles to GoAlex BachBeat Box, Drums
Soul with a Capital "S": The Best of Tower of PowerTower of PowerComposer, Drums, Percussion
The Best of Kirk WhalumKirk WhalumDrums
The Essential Kenny LogginsKenny LogginsDrums, Main Personnel, Vocals, Voices
200312 ArrowsJudith OwenDrums
A Beautiful WorldRobin ThickeDrums
It's About TimeKenny LogginsDrums, Vocal Percussion
Presents 21 DaysWayman TisdaleDrums
The Oakland ZoneTower of PowerComposer
The Whole EnchiladaTeresa JamesDrums
2005John Farnham & Tom Jones – Together in ConcertTom JonesDrums
2007Home At LastHerman MatthewsPrimary Artist, Composer, Producer, Percussion,
Spoken Word, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Just MeTiffanyDrums
Outta NowhereTim MyersDrums
Right as RainGia CiambottiDrums, Main Personnel
Sleep CityVicki RandleDrums
The Bottom LineTeresa JamesDrums, Member of Attributed Artist
Ultimate Kirk WhalumKirk WhalumDrums
2009Even Things UpPete AndersonDrums
201040th AnniversaryTower of PowerDrums
Joey SykesJoey SykesDrums
2011Mercy BoundEdwin McCainDrums
Stories To TellRichard MarxDrums
2012Bang Bang Boom BoomBeth HartDrums
Elvis Found AliveJon BurrowsDrums
Live from Dixie's Bar & Bus StopJerry Jeff WalkerCamera Operator, Producer
Come on HomeTeresa James & the Rhythm TrampsComposer, Drums
Push Play Sara Niemietz Drums
East Bay Soul, Vol. 2Greg AdamsComposer

Tour

References

  1. "IP Welcomes Multi-talented and Versatile Drummer Herman Matthews!". Innovative Percussion Inc. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Herman Matthews". Credits. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  3. "Herman Matthews ? Home At Last". LAsThePlace.com. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  4. "Herman Matthews". Songs. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  5. "Congratulations to Herman Matthews, You Can Hear His Music Tonight on K-Ville". Tom Jones International. 21 October 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  6. TV News Desk (31 July 2013). "Hugh Laurie to Hit the Road for U.S. Tour This October". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  7. "Didn't it Rain". Awards. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  8. "Home at Last". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  9. "Herman Matthews". NedsNotDead.com. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  10. "George Duke". Illusions. Discogs. 1995. Retrieved 1 October 2013. Warner Bros. Records – 9 45755-2
  11. "Phil Settle & Friends - Santa Monica Pier". Phil Settle. 26 April 1998. Retrieved 2 October 2013. Recorded live, Sunday, April 26, 1998, at the Santa Monica Pier

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Herman Matthews.