Stuart Matthewman

Stuart Matthewman
Background information
Also known as Cottonbelly[1]
Born 18 August 1960[1]
Hull, North Yorkshire, England[1]
Genres Downtempo, chillout, dub, acid jazz, space age pop[1]
Occupation(s) Songwriter, composer, arranger, record producer
Instruments Guitar, saxophone, keyboards, midi programming[1]
Years active 1982–present
Associated acts Sade, Sweetback , Twin Danger
Website www.twindanger.com
Notable instruments
Doepfer Polyphonic modular system

Stuart Colin Matthewman also known as Cottonbelly, (born 18 August 1960 Hull, East Yorkshire, England) is a Grammy-winning songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer.[2]

Career

In 1982, Matthewman relocated to London. Joining Latin funk band Pride, he met singer-songwriter Sade Adu and they began writing songs together. Teaming with bandmate Paul S. Denman and keyboardist Andrew Hale, they formed the band Sade. Sade signed with Epic Records U.K. division in 1984. Matthewman can be heard on saxophone, guitar, keyboards, and programming. He has appeared on all of Sade's albums: Diamond Life, Promise, Stronger Than Pride, Love Deluxe, and The Best of Sade, all of which went triple platinum in the U.S. and have totaled sales over 40 million albums worldwide.

In 1996 Matthewman along with Andrew Hale and Paul Spencer Denman formed the studio band Sweetback. The band features instrumental songs and songs with guest vocalists. They have released two albums, Sweetback (1996) and Stage 2 (2004).[3]

He cites his musical influences as Junior Walker, King Curtis, Art Pepper, Ernie Isley, Steve Jones, Wah Wah Watson, Issac Hayes, Bill Withers, Lee Perry, Tony Iommi, and Gustav Mahler.

He has composed the music scores for the movies: Twin Falls Idaho, Jackpot, Northfork, The Double (short subject), The Astronaut Farmer and Life Support.[4]

Stuart is also a member of the group Twin Danger. He formed the group in 2011 with singer/writer Vanessa Bley, Daughter of Jazz pianist Paul Bley. In 2014 they signed to Decca Classics/Universal records and will release their first album in the spring of 2015.

Personal life

He has a son, Clay Matthewman.

He is an avid cyclist, and races with the New York race team RBNY Racing.

References

External links