Stuart Matthewman

Stuart Colin Matthewman (born 18 August 1960), also known as Cottonbelly, is an English songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. With Sade Adu, Paul S. Denman, and Andrew Hale, he gained worldwide fame as the guitarist/saxophonist of the English band Sade. Stuart is also a member of bands, Sweetback and Twin Danger.

Stuart Colin Matthewman was born on 18 August 1960 in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, Englandwhere he attended Hymers College .

In 1982, Matthewman relocated to London. Joining Latin funk band Pride, he met singer-songwriter Sade Adu and they began writing songs together. Teaming with bassist Paul S. Denman and keyboardist Andrew Hale, they formed the band Sade. Sade signed with Epic Records U.K. division in 1984. Matthewman can be heard on saxophone, guitar, keyboards, and programming. He has appeared on all of Sade's albums: Diamond Life, Promise, Stronger Than Pride, Love Deluxe, Soldier of Love and The Best of Sade, all of which went triple platinum in the U.S. and have totaled sales over 40 million albums worldwide.

In 1996 Matthewman along with Andrew Hale and Paul Spencer Denman formed the studio band Sweetback. The band features instrumental songs and songs with guest vocalists. They have released two albums, Sweetback (1996) and Stage 2 (2004).

He cites his musical influences as Junior Walker, King Curtis, Art Pepper, Ernie Isley, Steve Jones, Wah Wah Watson, Issac Hayes, Bill Withers, Lee Perry, Tony Iommi, and Gustav Mahler.

He has composed the music scores for the movies: Twin Falls Idaho, Jackpot, Northfork, The Double (short subject), The Astronaut Farmer and Life Support.

Stuart is also a member of the group Twin Danger. He formed the group in 2011 with singer/writer Vanessa Bley, Daughter of Jazz pianist Paul Bley. In 2014 they signed to Decca Classics/Universal records and released their first, eponymously titled album, in March, and on CD in June 2015.

He has a son, Clay Matthewman. He is also an avid cyclist, and races with the New York race team RBNY Racing.