He contributed two new compositions for the album that was released by San Francisco State University's International Center for the Arts on September 15, 2008.
By thirty, he began teaching jazz piano and led workshops, clinics and master classes at Long Island University in New York City.
For almost five years (1978-1982) he was an integral part of this band and forged lasting relationships with Griffin, Kenny Washington (drums) and Ray Drummond (bass).
The Chicago Tribune stated that "The soul of the band [...] is pianist Ronnie Mathews, whose angular romanticism provides the horn players with a lush and spicy foundation for their improvising".
With Roland Alexander With Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers With Thomas Chapin With Larry Coryell With Kenny Dorham With Teddy Edwards With Dexter Gordon With Johnny Griffin With Bill Hardman With Louis Hayes With Roy Haynes With Joe Henderson With Freddie Hubbard With Sam Jones With Clifford Jordan With T. S. Monk With Frank Morgan With Lee Morgan With Sal Nistico With Charlie Persip With Max Roach With Woody Shaw With James Spaulding With Sonny Stitt