He has recently performed with Tommy Emmanuel in Palermo, he’s shared the stage with Al Di Meola on classical guitar at the closing night of the Eddie Lang Jazz Festival and played at the Lugano Jazz Festival in Switzerland as a guest with prog-rockers PFM and an incredible performance at the New Ross Guitar Festival in Ireland.Ģ023 is now where ‘The Journey’ really begins. “It is a mix of typical rock and prog elements and one of the most fun songs to play live,” he says. “I didn’t really have a specific concept behind the album, but I wanted to do something that wasn’t associated with only one genre, so there are some rock-oriented songs like Drop D and some modern Jazz tunes like Polifemo,” he says.” Drop D” was one of the first songs written for the album, which pays tribute to his teens’ hard rock and prog influences such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Yes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Dream Theater. Mancuso began writing songs for the album around 2020. His debut album of nine original songs was recorded at Fico d’India Studios Casteldaccia, Sicily, by his father, Vincenzo Mancuso – a gifted player who also played on the record and co-wrote two songs, “Polifemo” and “Blues For John.” The album also features Stefano India (Bass) and Guiseppe Bruno (Drums), with additional musicians Riccardo Oliva (Bass), Gianluca Pellerito (drums) and Guiseppe Vasapolli (Piano/Organ). In 2017, as part of a trio called Snips, Matteo and his bandmates took on more jazz-rock and fusion elements their version of “The Chicken” hit 2.2 million views on YouTube. As a multi-faceted player, either classical or electric, what is astounding is his one-of-a-kind technique and use of his fingers instead of regular picking.Īs a YouTube sensation, his channel is now at 142k subscribers, with his international fanbase growing, which includes some of the world’s most iconic, ground-breaking players who are declaring Matteo as a force to be reckoned with, from Dweezil Zappa to Joe Bonamassa, Steve Vai to Al Di Meola and Tosin Abasi. Since then, his acquaintance with live performances has seen him blossom and develop through various line-ups and collaborations with the finest local musicians, including a duo with his father, where they explore the complexities of Django Reinhart’s repertoire and contemporary jazz classics. Born in 1996 and raised just outside the capital Palermo, the pedigree runs deep in the veins of those from the region.Īt 12, Matteo took his first steps onto the stage at a local jazz festival. The island has always had a rich cultural heritage, from poets, writers, philosophers, and architects to painters and musicians. Mancuso hails from Sicily, nestled in the Mediterranean Sea to the South of Italy. I have not seen anyone reinvent like this since Stanley Jordan” Joe Bonamassa. “All the kids are talking about it, and I blanked when answering who my new favourite guitarist is… here he is, Matteo Mancuso. I mean, he’s a virtuoso beyond virtuosos.” Tosin Abasi “There’s this Italian kid on the internet his name is Matteo Mancuso. It was like when Jacko (Pastorius) came on the scene…how did he get so good and so fast?” – Al Di Meola. “An absolute talent his improvisational ability is light years ahead. “The evolution of guitar is firmly secure in the hands of these kinds of players… it’s just a new level, the tone, the touch, the notes!” – Steve Vai That’s why it’s probably my favorite song from the album.” The follow up to the album’s lead single “ Drop D,” “Samba Party” is the latest taste of Mancuso’s debut album, ‘The Journey’, out July 21st via The Players Club/Mascot Label Group. Gianluca Pellerito and Riccardo Oliva delivered this incredible groove, and I was super happy with the result. “The song’s main theme is inspired by samba rhythms, but I wanted a more modern groove. “This is a strange one because, first of all, musically speaking, it doesn’t have anything to do with the samba style, but I wanted to write a happy “major chord” song and the thing I usually connect with giant happy parties with a lot of people is the carnival in Rio de Janeiro,” Mancuso explains. On his latest single “ Samba Party,” out today on all digital platforms, the Sicilian guitar virtuoso MATTEO MANCUSO channels the excitement and jubilation of a Rio de Janeiro during carnival – but the song itself is anything but samba.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |