HELEN MATTHEWS

Based on the West Coast, Helen’s career spanned over 50 years. From her earliest days with JT and The Jazzmen (she cut an EP with them), to her own TV series Helen Matthews with a Little Help from her Friends in 1971 screening on ABC, and excelling as a jazz artist, producer and leader of her own ensembles, Matthews was a giant of the Perth jazz scene. The list of jazz artists she supported or played with included Stephane Grappelli, Rod McKuen, Ronnie Scott, Woody Herman, Don Burrows, Dave McKenna, James Morrison, Joe Chindamo and Judy Bailey to name but a few. Matthews performed for the Queen and the Pope and was responsible for some of the most innovative jazz projects and festivals that WA has ever seen. 

She released two albums in the 90s, 'A Long Time Coming' (1993) and 'Raising The Standard' (1997). In 2003 the Australian newspaper noted ''Helen Matthews set the Perth Festival alight with a stand-alone jazz festival that captivated all who attended with its unity of spirit and glittering array of international and local performers a cohesive and strongly managed series''. Matthews was also a presenter on the ABC and on RTRFM, where she presented Saturday Jazz for a number of years. Helen was officially inducted to WAM’s 2015 Hall of Fame at the WA Music Awards ceremony on Thursday 5 November 2015. Helen Mathews died in 2024. ''Perth has lost a legend,'' said RTRFM in a statement. ''Helen’s love and commitment to the world of jazz and the musicians who make the music in WA was unsurpassed''. Matthews was made a State Cultural Treasure in 2022.

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