Pianist Ronnie Mathews Dead at 72

Pianist Ronnie Mathews died June 28 of pancreatic cancer, in New York. He was 72. Mathews was a hard bop stylist who performed and recorded with Dexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Haynes, Woody Shaw,, Lee Morgan, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Johnny Griffin, T.S. Monk, and many others. A benefit and tribute concert for Mathews had been held at New York’s Sweet Rhythm a week before his death.

Originally Published July 3, 2008