Harry Mathews - Vocalist, Saxophonist, Pianist & Guitarist

Harry Mathews Biography

Harry Mathews has had over 40 years experience in the music business. He began performing in R&B and dance bands as a guitarist at the age of 16. Later, he received his Bachelors degree in Music Composition from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music (now Shenandoah University) in Winchester Virginia with majors in classical piano and voice and minors in saxophone and jazz piano. He graduated with honors and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He continued his graduate studies at North Texas State University.

He performed for several years as pianist with the world renowned jazz drummer Billy Drummond and his "Billy Drummond Unit". Since then he has performed with a wide variety of groups including 10 piece R&B funk groups, small and large jazz ensembles, and country, Latino-Tropical, Chicano, top 40, folk, rock, soul and Vegas style groups. Harry is renowned as an arranger and has provided musical accompaniment tracks for thousands of professional and amateur musicians worldwide through his various music production and distribution companies including Trackbusters, Inc., MIDI HQ, MIDI Country and MIDI America. Harry is also listed in the "National Directory of Who's Who".

In 1987, Harry moved to Myrtle Beach, SC where he entertained tourists and locals there for years with the HIJACKED band and also with the HARRY MATHEWS SHOW. He performed at medium to large conventions there as a solo performer specializing in theme dance parties combining his live show with lots of audience involvement and his DJ stylings. He also did a 4 year stint at the Ocean Dunes Beach and Golf Resort with the HIJACKED band which he led.

Harry's show is as diverse as his background, including a wide variety of musical styles, audience participation and comedy. He is best know for his "smokin' sax" style but is proficient on several instruments including piano, guitar and sax. Harry is a very accomplished vocalist as well is able to emulate an amazing variety of styles.

From September of 2000 until December of 2001, Harry performed aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines ships in a variety of venues. He has a 50 minute Cabaret Show which he performed aboard the Norwegian Sky, which includes exceptional arrangements written by Harry himself for 6 piece orchestra. With NCL, this remarkable talent also performed as Cabaret Dance Entertainer, as Piano Bar Entertainer and Intermissionist Pianist. Upon signing off his last ship in December of 2001, Harry received the highest rating afforded to Entertainers aboard ship with a perfect score reflecting his exceptional professional qualities and personal character.

In 2003, Harry completed a 1 year stint at McMahon's Prime Steakhouse in Tucson, Arizona, as their solo piano bar entertainer. In that same year Harry moved to Chandler, AZ and has performed at numerous upscale lounges in the East Valley including John Henry's in Tempe, Maggiano's in Scottsdale, The Ocean Club in Scottsdale, Drinkwater's City Hall in Scottsdale and for 3 1/2 years at Mastro's in north Scottsdale. In 2013 he completed a 4 year stint at Ocean Prime at City North and continues to perform at a wide variety of venues throughout the Phoenix Metro area and beyond.