The Bay Area rooted player has also notably worked with Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann.
His early influences included Beethoven, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, Cliff Burton of Metallica, Michael Jackson, and Jimi Hendrix.
In 1994, Mathis met Brian Haas and a group of like-minded Tulsa musicians, who together created the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey (JFJO).
The charismatic Mathis is freed up to soar into the high register and wail with impunity on his heavy effected bass guitar because Haas is holding down the basslines on the Rhodes.
Shortly before the album's release in January, 2009, Mathis announced his departure from JFJO, citing a desire to pursue his other musical endeavors.
Chris Combs (guitar) and Matt Hayes (upright bass) joined Haas (piano) and Josh Raymer (drums) to form the new JFJO lineup.
Also in 2014, The Golden Gate Wingmen was formed by John Kadlecik, featuring Mathis alongside Jeff Chimenti and Jay Lane.
To tour in support of the album Mathis assembled the band that came to be called "Electric Beethoven," which featured Jay Lane, Tulsa guitarist Clay Welch, Todd Stoops, and Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey's Josh Raymer.