MUSIC

Matteo Mancuso is an Italian guitarist and composer widely regarded as one of the most original and technically advanced players of his generation. Born in Palermo, Sicily, he began playing guitar at age ten and developed a highly distinctive fingerstyle approach on electric guitar, blending classical and flamenco influences with jazz, fusion, and rock to create a sound uniquely his own.After graduating with top honors in jazz guitar from the Palermo Conservatory, Mancuso gained international attention with the trio SNIPS, whose viral performance of “The Chicken” introduced his playing to a global audience. He burst onto the scene in 2023 with his debut album The Journey, a perfect storm of dazzling virtuosity and beautifully crafted compositions. It was this prodigious debut that caught the attention of Tosin Abasi, Al Di Meola, Dweezil Zappa, and Steve Vai, earning Mancuso front-cover features in leading guitar magazines and accolades as the “world’s hottest virtuoso” redefining the instrument. Its success launched extensive international touring and firmly established him as a major new voice in contemporary music.In 2026, Mancuso enters a new creative chapter with the release of his highly anticipated second solo album, Route 96. Featuring guest appearances from Steve Vai, Antoine Boyer, and Valeriy Stepanov, the album is supported by an extensive international tour that continues to showcase his evolution as a composer and performer.