Mat Mathews ....

For those who are familiar with the world of Jazz Accordion, Mat Mathews needs no introduction. Born on June 18, 1924, Hubert Matieu Schwarts. To ensure his success in the U.S., he later changed his name to Mat Mathews as a stage name. His parents were catholic and his family struggled during WWII, living in occupied Holland.

Jazz in America en in Nederland MAT MATHEWS JAZZ ACCORDION Just before the war ended and due to his anti-war political views, the Nazis incarcerated him in a work camp where he played accordion as a means of survival. He escaped by jumping out of a train and managed to hide in his parent's attic for 3 months until the war was over. After the war, Mat was determined become a professional Jazz musician.

His progress was remarkable in those difficult days that followed the war. With a Quartet, Mat broadcast for over a year on Radio Luxembourg. Mathews moved to the United States in 1952. He appeared as a soloist on many radio and television shows in the U.S., Italy,Scandinavia and Germany. He was the first accordionist to play at Birdland, with his combo, featuring Herbie Mann.

He appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival and did arrangements and recordings with Carmen McRea. Metronome Magazine voted Mathews "Musician of the Year" and one of his compositions was recorded by John Coltrane. He always strived for his own "beautiful sound and the right chords". Put that philosophy together with his devotion to the great American songbook and the standards of yesteryear, and you have the essence of Mat Mathews: Poet of the accordion.
http://matmathews.com/
From: http://jazzaccordionmasters.blogspot.com.br