Pictured is a monument dedicated to Hotel Matthews, 

the first African-American owned hotel in Akron, Ohio.  

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Hotel Matthews was opened in 1925 by owner George

Washington Mathews, and was located at 77 N. Howard Street.  The hotel welcomed many of the African-American jazz greats of the time.  Artists like Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, and Wes Montgomery.  Many of which graced locals with performances at local African-American jazz clubs all along Howard Street.  

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Hotel Matthews was torn down as a part of urban 

renewal plans in 1982.  In 2001, the hotel received an 

historical marker from the Ohio Bicentennial

Commission which sits at the intersection of North

Howard Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.  

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Growing up in Akron living less than a block from Howard Street in Rosalind Ct. afforded me the opportunity to

experience the city's rich history in Blues, Funk, and

Jazz.  Akron was a great backdrop to hone the skills I

have learned over the years and am still learning today. 

I've played with some of the best musicians I've ever

known....right here from Akron, Ohio.  If you haven't been

here.. you need to get here to sit in on a jam session. 

You may be pleasantly surprised.

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Be sure to check out my YouTube channel found above in my social media shortcuts menu.  Please subscribe!!  You'll be able to enjoy some show clips of previous performances on the videos tab.

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I look forward to seeing and sharing my LOVE of Music

with you very soon.

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