Herman Matthews (born December 28, 1960) is an American drummer and composer. Matthews works as a session and touring musician, most notably for Tower of Power, Kenny Loggins and toured with Tom Jones for more than 7 years. He began playing drums at the age of seven and has been the backbone of world-class pop, rock, jazz, soul, R&B and funk bands for nearly thirty years.[1]

Herman L. Matthews
Photo of Herman Matthews with Hugh Laurie and the Copper Bottom Band percussionist
Mathews with Hugh Laurie and the Copper Bottom Band (2013)
Background information
Born (1960-12-28) December 28, 1960 (age 63)
Houston, Texas
GenresRock, blues, jazz, R&B, funk
Occupation(s)Musician, Drummer, Percussionist
Instrument(s)Drums, Percussion
Websitehermanmatthews.com

Career

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Matthews has worked with such artists as Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Elton John, Sheryl Crow, Herbie Hancock, Carole King, John Mayall, Spencer Davis, Edgar Winter, Luther Vandross, Rebekah, Bob James, Bobby Kimball, KINA, George Duke, Kirk Whalum, Eric Burdon & The Animals, David Foster, Michael McDonald, Michael Bolton, Patti Austin, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps, Robin Thicke, Angela Winbush, The Isley Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal and Richard Marx.[2] Matthews's work appears on movie and television soundtracks, he was a house-band member for the hit television show, In Living Color.

Matthews released his first solo CD Home At Last in 2007.[3][4] The title track was featured in an episode of the Fox Broadcasting Company crime/drama K-VILLE starring Anthony Anderson and Cole Hauser.[5]

Matthews replaced drummer, Jay Bellerose, for the Hugh Laurie, 2013–2014, World Tour. Matthews's first gig with the Copper Bottom Band was for the PBS, "Live On The Queen Mary", broadcast on August 3, 2013.[6] Laurie's 2013 album, Didn't It Rain, peaked Billboard Magazine's, Billboard 200 at #21 and was #1 on Billboard's Top Blues Albums.[7]

Solo albums

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Home At Last (2007)

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Home At Last

  • Released: 2007
  • Format: "LP/CD"
  • Label: Doc Huck-a-Buck Records
  • Producer: Ned Albright & Herman Matthews
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I Don't Want to Go Home"H. Matthews/N. Albright5:45
2."Hold on You"H. Matthews4:43
3."Cup of Sugar"H. Matthews/N. Albright3:05
4."We Are Heaven"H. Matthews/N. Albright3:48
5."I am a Drummer From Texas"H. Matthews3:42
6."Not Another Lover"H. Matthews/N. Albright3:24
7."Junk in the Trunk"H. Matthews4:03
8."I've Got a Home"H. Matthews/P. Settle3:56
9."Chop That BBQ"H. Matthews1:00
10."Home at Last"H. Matthews3:23
11."Function at the Junction"Eddie Holland & Shorty Long4:32


Musicians

Discography

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Recording

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Herman Matthews recordings [2]
Year Title Primary Artist Instrument(s)
1989 The Flipside: Jazz Horn Solos Tom Bacon Drums
The Promise Kirk Whalum Drums
1991 Leap of Faith Kenny Loggins Drums, percussion, Talking Drum
1992 Second Wind Dwight Sills Drums
1993 Outside: From the Redwoods Kenny Loggins Choir/Chorus, Drums
Passion Alexander Zonjic Drums
Put on Your Green Shoes Various artists (Kenny Loggins) Drums ("If you Believe")
Live! The Isley Brothers Drums
1994 Angela Winbush Angela Winbush Drum Overdubs, Drums, Drums (Snare),
Overdubs, Toms, Tom-Tom
1995 Souled Out Tower of Power Drums, Group Member, Percussion
Tapestry Revisited: A Tribute to Carole King Various artists (Richard Marx) Drums ("Beautiful")
Illusions George Duke Drums ("Money")[10]
1996 Premiere Consultation Doc Gyneco Hi Hat
Sax for Lovers [Sony] Various artists Drums
1997 Flesh & Bone Richard Marx Drums
Rhythm & Business Tower of Power Composer, drums, percussion
1998 Phil Settle & Friends - Santa Monica Pier Phil Settle Drums [11]
1999 Everybody on the Bus Francis "Rocco" Prestia Composer, drums
Push the River Lauren Ellis Drums
Soul Vaccination: Live Tower of Power Composer
Urban Dreams Urban Jazz Network Drums
What Is Hip?: The Tower of Power Anthology Tower of Power Composer, drums
2000 Days in Avalon [Signal 21] Richard Marx Drums
The Color of Silence Tiffany Drums
2002 Christi Baeuerle Christi Baeuerle Drums, Loops
Miles to Go Alex Bach Beat Box, Drums
Soul with a Capital "S": The Best of Tower of Power Tower of Power Composer, drums, percussion
The Best of Kirk Whalum Kirk Whalum Drums
The Essential Kenny Loggins Kenny Loggins Drums, Main Personnel, Vocals, Voices
2003 12 Arrows Judith Owen Drums
A Beautiful World Robin Thicke Drums
It's About Time Kenny Loggins Drums, Vocal Percussion
Presents 21 Days Wayman Tisdale Drums
The Oakland Zone Tower of Power Composer
The Whole Enchilada Teresa James Drums
2005 John Farnham & Tom Jones – Together in Concert Tom Jones Drums
2007 Home At Last Herman Matthews Primary Artist, Composer, Producer, Percussion,
Spoken Word, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Just Me Tiffany Drums
Outta Nowhere Tim Myers Drums
Right as Rain Gia Ciambotti Drums, Main Personnel
Sleep City Vicki Randle Drums
The Bottom Line Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps Drums, Member of Attributed Artist
Ultimate Kirk Whalum Kirk Whalum Drums
2009 Even Things Up Pete Anderson Drums
2010 40th Anniversary Tower of Power Drums
Joey Sykes Joey Sykes Drums
2011 Mercy Bound Edwin McCain Drums
Stories To Tell Richard Marx Drums
2012 Bang Bang Boom Boom Beth Hart Drums
Elvis Found Alive Jon Burrows Drums
Live from Dixie's Bar & Bus Stop Jerry Jeff Walker Camera Operator, Producer
Come on Home Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps Composer, drums
Push Play Sara Niemietz Drums
East Bay Soul, Vol. 2 Greg Adams Composer

Tour

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References

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  1. ^ "IP Welcomes Multi-talented and Versatile Drummer Herman Matthews!". Innovative Percussion Inc. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Herman Matthews". Credits. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  3. ^ "Herman Matthews ? Home At Last". LAsThePlace.com. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Herman Matthews". Songs. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  5. ^ "Congratulations to Herman Matthews, You Can Hear His Music Tonight on K-Ville". Tom Jones International. 21 October 2007. Archived from the original on 11 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  6. ^ TV News Desk (31 July 2013). "Hugh Laurie to Hit the Road for U.S. Tour This October". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  7. ^ "Didn't it Rain". Awards. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  8. ^ "Home at Last". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  9. ^ "Herman Matthews". NedsNotDead.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  10. ^ "George Duke". Illusions. Discogs. 1995. Retrieved 1 October 2013. Warner Bros. Records – 9 45755-2
  11. ^ "Phil Settle & Friends - Santa Monica Pier". Phil Settle. 26 April 1998. Retrieved 2 October 2013. Recorded live, Sunday, April 26, 1998, at the Santa Monica Pier
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