MATTEO MANCUSO, born in 1996 and raised in the province of Palermo. A musical prodigy from an early age, Matteo’s introduction to the world of music was guided by his father, Vincenzo Mancuso, a well-known guitarist and producer in the industry, serving as both mentor and master during his formative years.

Teaming up with his father, Matteo made waves in Sicily’s jazz scene, participating in local festivals at just 11 years old. The duo later explored a diverse repertoire, spanning from Django Reinhardt to contemporary jazz. As a teenager, Matteo pursued his passion by enrolling in a music high school, specializing in classical guitar.

 

Post-high school Diploma, he founded the Snips trio, gaining widespread acclaim for their fusion take on classic standards, including his first viral YouTube video “The Chicken” In 2017, Matteo’s talent was recognized at the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, where he secured a scholarship to the esteemed Berklee College Of Music in Boston. With Snips, he continued to make waves, performing at renowned events such as the Musikmesse 2017 in Frankfurt, Les Nuits De La Guitare in Corsica, and Umbria Jazz 2018.

As a collaborator with Yamaha Guitars, Matteo showcased his expertise at NAMM 2019 in Los Angeles and participated as a judge at the “Young Guitar Festival” in Bangkok. 2019 also marked his venture into Russia, conducting masterclasses in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Perm.

In 2020, Matteo founded a new trio, featuring Stefano India on bass and Giuseppe Bruno on drums, showcasing his compositional prowess with original compositions. The following year, he embarked on a successful tour across Italy, gracing stages from Festivalle in Agrigento to the Blue Note in Milan. Between studio work and continued composition, Matteo solidified his position as a rising star in the music scene. The year 2022 saw Matteo’s European tour, including appearances at the International Festival in Bremen and Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome.

In June, following the Jazz guitar graduation with honors and the highest distinction at the Conservatory of Palermo, he resumed touring, sharing the stage with Al Di Meola during the Eddie Lang Jazz Festival. In August 2023 he was also invited by the legendary PFM as a guest for their new live album “ The event ” which was recorded at the Lugano Estival Jazz. September brought an appearance on Stefano Bollani’s “Via dei Matti n°0” show, followed by shows at the Jazz Festival in Uppsala, Sweden, and opening the Jazz Festival in Spoleto on October 21.

The momentum continued into 2023, with a special invitation from Tommy Emmanuel to join him on stage at the “Teatro Golden” in Palermo. May marked the kickoff of the summer tour, featuring previews of songs from Matteo’s eagerly anticipated debut solo album.

On July 21, The Journey was released, capturing the essence of his diverse musical influences. It narrates the musical journey of a young artist absorbing, interpreting, and expressing his passion for music. The album pays homage to his roots, influential artists, and genres that have left a mark on his musical identity.

September introduced a new chapter in Matteo’s musical journey, featuring a revamped lineup with Riccardo Oliva on bass and keyboards and Gianluca Pellerito on drums. Matteo’s YouTube channel is followed by over 259,000 international subscribers. Renowned musicians, including Dweezil Zappa, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, Al Di Meola, and Steve Vai, have praised Matteo’s talents, hailing him as the “evolution of fusion guitar”.

“Matteo is the evolution of fusion guitar, his breathtaking technique is a marvel to behold. He’s the evidence that the evolving spirit of guitars players is firmly intact” Steve Vai.

“He’s a beautiful player and he is so versatile, he plays any style, he plays rock he plays Django, pretty amazing” Eric Johnson.