RONNIE MATTHEWS (pianist, bandleader) was born December 2, 1935 in New York City and passed away June 29, 2008 in Brooklyn, NY. The hardbop sideman was best known for his associations with Max Roach, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Dexter Gordon and his five year stint with Johnny Griffin’s quartet. As well as performing with his own duos, trios and quartets he appeared on the soundtrack of Spike Lee’s “Mo’ Better Blues”.