---
title: "Will Matthews — Kansas City Jazz Academy"
description: "Will Matthews, Guest Instructor — Artist in Residence — Kansas City Jazz Academy faculty."
canonical: https://kcjazzacademy.org/faculty/will-matthews/
---

Guest Instructor — Artist in Residence

# Will Matthews

![Portrait of Will Matthews.](/_astro/will-matthews.d95gj7ys_ZJXiWT.webp)

Three-time Grammy-winning guitarist Will Matthews is a native Kansas Citian and has been a member of the legendary Count Basie Orchestra since 1996. Matthews has toured and performed at every major jazz festival, theatre, concert hall, and night club all over the world, as well as performing with a who’s who of artists in the music business — starting with the late great Joe Williams, plus Nancy Wilson, Patti Austin, George Benson, Diane Schuur, Johnny Mathis, Joey DeFrancesco, and many more.

Matthews’ debut recording _Solo_ was released in 2000, and his second recording _Count on Swingin’_ was released in 2009. When on break from touring with the Basie Orchestra, the guitarist performs with his groups the Saturday Night Trio, Mood Swings, and the B-3 OrganTet.

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