Matteo Mancuso, born in 1996 in Palermo, is a guitar prodigy whose musical journey began under the guidance of his father, guitarist and producer Vincenzo Mancuso. By age 11, he was already making waves in Sicily’s jazz scene, performing at festivals and exploring a diverse repertoire from Django Reinhardt to contemporary jazz.

As a teenager, Matteo specialized in classical guitar at a music high school. After graduating, he founded the Snips trio, gaining recognition for their fusion take on classic standards, including his viral YouTube cover of The Chicken. In 2017, he earned a scholarship to Berklee College of Music after an acclaimed performance at the Umbria Jazz Festival. With Snips, he played major events like Musikmesse Frankfurt, Les Nuits De La Guitare, and Umbria Jazz.

A Yamaha Guitars collaborator, Matteo showcased his skills at NAMM 2019 in Los Angeles and served as a judge at the Young Guitar Festival in Bangkok. That year, he also led masterclasses across Russia. In 2020, he launched a new trio with Stefano India (bass) and Giuseppe Bruno (drums), debuting his original compositions and touring Italy, including stops at Festivalle in Agrigento and the Blue Note in Milan.

In 2022, Matteo toured Europe, performed at the International Festival in Bremen, and graduated with honors in Jazz Guitar from the Conservatory of Palermo. He shared the stage with Al Di Meola at the Eddie Lang Jazz Festival and later appeared on Stefano Bollani’s Via dei Matti n°0 show. Highlights from 2023 include an invitation from Tommy Emmanuel to perform at Teatro Golden in Palermo and a summer tour featuring previews of his debut solo album, The Journey, released on July 21. The album reflects his diverse influences, paying tribute to his roots and the artists who shaped his sound.

Matteo’s latest lineup features Riccardo Oliva (bass/keyboards) and Gianluca Pellerito (drums). His YouTube channel has over 180,000 subscribers, and he’s earned praise from legends like Dweezil Zappa, Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, Al Di Meola, and Steve Vai.