Denis Matthews was born in Coventry in 1919 and lived in Leamington Spa until 1936, when he came to London to study at The Royal Academy of Music. During his four years there he won fourteen prizes, including the Stewart Macpherson prize for musicianship and the 'Worshipful Company of Musicians' medal for the most distinguished student.
After demobilisation from the R.A.F. he quickly established himself as a concert pianist he is also a composer, and has written various pieces for solo piano, violin and piano, and cello and piano. His recreations, be says, include 'astronomy, filing systems, Havana cigars, and reading aloud'.