Hello and welcome to the official website of Perth-based pianist, composer and bandleader Ben Matthews! This is the place to be if you would like to learn a little about myself, perhaps organise some live music for a function, listen to some of my compositions, check out some photos, or just to get in touch. I will also keep this space updated with any exciting music-related news.
To hear my original works for piano or various jazz ensembles, head to the “Compositions” section. For corporate and wedding jazz band ensembles, have a listen at the “Band Hire” section. Enjoy your stay!
-Ben
News
:: This Is The Police 2 Soundtrack Now Available!
In January 2018 I flew to Norway to write and record for ThQ Nordic / Weappy’s game title This Is The Police 2. It is the most diverse project I’ve worked on to date, involving collaborations with other composers and producers, guest vocalists, featuring a range of Nordic folk instruments I’d never heard of prior to start this project, and involves the world music, jazz and hard fusion-rock genres. You can listen to the full soundtrack and read the credits on the Boss Battle Records Bandcamp page here!
After nearly a decade performing as both a sideman and bandleader with some of Australia’s most illustrious musicians, 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 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’. Over the years, three of Ben’s compositions have been nominated for Western Australian Music (WAM) Song of the Year awards (2011, 2015, 2016).
Current Direction
My current aspiration is to create honest and emotional music that balances creativity and accessibility. With this in mind, I am aiming to:
-Strive for mastery as a pianist and composer through personal exploration and formal tuition from local and touring mentors.
-Develop and share my work as a solo improviser, drawing influence from modern jazz greats (such as Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Hiromi Uehara and Keith Jarrett), and filmcomposers (such as John Williams, Joe Hisaishi, Ryuichi Sakamoto).
-Build a portfolio of compositions and arrangements for performance and publishing by blending stylistic qualities from the jazz, latin, r’n’b, film score, ambient and fusion genres in the hopes to produce an original, refined and unique style of music.
Compositions
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This Is The Police 2
Game Soundtrack
In early 2018 I flew to Norway to write and record a game soundtrack comprising of Nordic-inspired world music, jazz and fusion. The soundtrack ThQ Nordic / Weappy’s title This Is The Police 2 includes collaborations with composer Kevin Penkin, producer Jia Lih, guest vocalists Holli Scott and Elvira Björkman, and features a number of Nordic folk instruments – The Bukkehorn (performed by Karl Seglem), the Langeleik (performed by Robert Løkketangen) and the Hardenge Fiddle and Octave Violin (performed by Rasmus Kjorstad). It is one of the most diverse, exciting and ambitious projects I have had the honour of working on. I wrote and recorded tracks 1-15, 20, 21 and helped to arrange 28. Learn more…
Memoir
Solo Piano Album
The pieces from Memoir are entirely improvised, fleeting moments and moods now preserved. They have not been edited in any way, and are the first and only take and attempt of each piece. May these moments bring you warmth, calm and stillness as you peregrinate through your day-to-day.
The music in this album is inspired by pianists composers Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy), Herbie Hancock, Ludovico Einaudi, Joe Hisaishi (Studio Ghibli) and Denny Zeitlin. Learn more…
LiveWyre
Jazz-Funk-R’n’B Fusion
LiveWyre is an original blend of cinematic, groove, neo-soul, jazz, ambient and fusion sounds. Much of the music draws influence of musicians who blend genres in their own writing style; the compositional sounds of jazz masters like Esperanza Spalding, Hiromi Uehara, Robert Glasper (etc) are alluded to throughout the music of the LiveWyre project. This project was crowdfunded in July/August of 2016 by 138 backers. Learn more…
My Story
Solo Piano Album
These pieces were entirely improvised, and are their only take in existence – in concept, performance and recording. What you hear is a first and only attempt at each piece, showcasing my strengths and flaws in musicality, technical ability and personality. While improvising, my goal has never been to achieve ‘perfection’, but instead to create some form of journey for the listener – a story for which they may follow along with. And so, this is ‘My Story’ – everything I could possibly express of myself and my experiences, through the piano. I sincerely hope you enjoy it deeply. Learn more…
An Open Letter of Imperfections is a collaboration between powerhouse pop/soul/r’n’b singer EDDE (Edwina Masson) and jazz pianist Ben Matthews. Breaking away from her high-energy, huge-sound projects, Edwina sought to create music that would evoke a deep vulnerability, exposing yet-to-be-shared personal experiences through her music. Upon inviting Ben to join her in the journey, the pair would explore together different expressions of these heartfelt stories, refining them into the songs that are presented in this album. Learn more…
In 2016 I composed and recorded 12 jazz tracks for Weappy’s PC game “This Is The Police”. This album is heavily influenced by the jazz greats of the late 50’s and early 60’s eras; musicians like Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Art Blakey to name some prime examples. The title theme ‘No Good’ features the voice and lyrics of Perth’s very own jazz songstress Holli Scott. You can purchase and listen to the album on their bandcamp page which can be found here.
Band Hire
“I have used Ben on many occasions for private parties as well as corporate functions. Ben and his colleagues are excellent musicians, they play to the specifications of the clients and are extremely professional, and flexible for all different functions.”
-Wendy, Director of Event Social Planners
“Ben Matthews and his incredible band brought a unique ambience to our event. Booking these guys was a total win, and I will be using them again. They were punctual, intuitive and made the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre sing. The stall holders said that while the music played they had fantastic sales! That was what it was all about at the Swell Day Out. I would like to thank you all for putting the final touches on the perfect vibe for the event!”
-Toni Gordon, Left Coast Australia
Ben Matthews Ensembles
Treat your guests to some live jazz with a band tailored to suit any occasion. Ben Matthews Ensembles combines the talent of Australia’s in-demand jazz musicians to provide an atmosphere of warmth and class at private functions, weddings and corporate events. Below are some examples of some of our acts, accompanied by live recordings of each. To discuss your function needs, please get in touch with me at[email protected].
Providing ambience of a relaxing and intimate nature, Ben’s solo piano sound is a contemplative blend of jazz (Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Hiromi Uehara), classical (Ravel, Chopin, Ryuichi Sakamoto) and contemporary soundtrack music (Hans Zimmer, Nobuo Uematsu, Joe Hisaishi).
The instrumental jazz duo or trio provides something a little louder and a little livelier, and is reminiscent of more traditional instrumental jazz music, utilising repertoire from the Great American Songbook. Inviting a horn player (saxophone or trumpet) or a bassist to join the piano allows for music best suited to medium sized venues.
For the duo dynamic, adding the upright bass provides a deeper and warmer sound. Adding a horn is ideal for cutting through louder venues, ensuring the music is comfortably audible amongst background noise and chatter.
Drawing influence from the likes of Oscar Peterson, Brad Mehldau and Bill Evans’ iconic jazz ensembles, this is most popular ensemble experience. The jazz trio format offers a versatile and dynamic sound and is suitable for any occasion or setting.
After nearly a decade performing as both a sideman and bandleader with some of Australia’s most illustrious musicians, 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 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’. Over the years, three of Ben’s compositions have been nominated for Western Australian Music (WAM) Song of the Year awards (2011, 2015, 2016). Ben’s current aspiration is to to create honest and emotional music that balances creativity and accessibility, and to extend his portfolio of compositions and arrangements by blending stylistic qualities of jazz, Latin, R&B, ambient, fusion and film music genres.
Photos
Tom Greble Photography:
Misc photos:
(Photographers above, left to right: Alana Mathews, Jacqueline Auty, Cameron Evans)
Contact
For all bookings and enquiries, please don't hesitate to get in touch!
Perth, Western Australia