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Ben Matthews
After a decade performing as both a sideman and bandleader with some of Australia’s top-tier musicians, WAAPA graduate jazz pianist and contemporary keyboardist Ben Matthews turned his focus to composition in late 2015. In 2016, he wrote and recorded the following projects: an original jazz soundtrack to THQ Nordic’s game ‘This Is The Police’; an original jazz/instrumental neo-soul double-CD release, ‘LiveWyre’; a collaborative E.P. of contemporary ballads with vocalist Edwina Masson entitled ‘An Open Letter of Imperfections’; a seven track, entirely improvised solo piano album, ‘My Story’; music for the short film ‘Lightbulb’; and two improvised solo piano singles, ‘Indulge in a Daydream’ and ‘Uncertain Times’. In 2017 a second solo piano album ‘Memoir’ was improvised. In early 2018, Ben was commissioned to fly to Norway to compose and record for game title “This Is The Police 2”, creating a rich and diverse soundtrack featuring a blending nordic folk instruments into the world music, 60’s jazz and fusion genres. This project included collaborations with composer Kevin Penkin (Tower of God, Made in Abyss, Florence the game), producer Jia Lih, vocalist Holli Scott. In 2019 Matthews was nominated for Best Keys/Synth Artist for the 2019 Western Australian Music (WAM) Awards. Ben’s piano and keyboard work can also be heard on the 2020 ‘Tower of God’ anime series’ original soundtrack.
Over the years, five of Ben’s compositions have been finalists for WAM Song of the Year awards (2011, 2015, 2016, 2018). His latest release, ‘A Soundtrack to Unwritten Cinema’ (2020) is a fourth improvised solo piano album that guides the listener through deeply personal, emotional experiences with pianistic soundscapes. Ben’s current aspiration is to create honest and emotional music that balances creativity and accessibility.
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Ben Matthews, Greg Spero, Iwan Vanhetten, Simon Phillips, David Binney, Lost Tribe
by Len Davis
More from Australian pianist Ben Matthews, from his album From There To Here. Nicola Andrioli from Skylight , Greg Spero and David Binney. Playlist Ben Matthews Or Had You Forgotten" from From There To Here (Self Produced) 00:00 Nicola Andrioli Bright Spark" from Skylight (Heartcore) 07:06 Greg Spero Straight Shooter" from The Chicago Experiment (Ropeadope) 14:09 Iwan Vanhetten 5th Avenue" from Parabeen Tales (Blue Canoe) 21:18 Simon Phillips Undeviginti" from Protocol V (Phantom 28:17 Markus Reuter River Of ...
read moreA new release from Australian pianist Ben Matthews, Simon Phillips Protocol V and from the UK, Mysteries of the Revolution
by Len Davis
A new release from Australian pianist Ben Matthews entitled from There To Here, Simon Phillips Protocol V and Mysteries Of The Revolution's new single.Playlist Stephan Thelen Cosmic Krautrock" from Shooting For The Moon-prog Sampler (Moonjune) 00:00 Ben Matthews"Conduit" from From There To Here (Self Produced) 08:12 Simon Phillips-Protocol"Isosceles" from Protocol V (Phantom) 16:25 {Mysteries Of The Revolution"One Whisper" from One Whisper (Blue Serene Focus) 24:36 Metro"Abysynth Blues" from Express (Marsis) 32:50 {{Alan Pasqua} New Rhodes" from The Anti ...
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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson