Matteo Mancuso at Udin&Jazz 2025: Fusion Guitar’s Rising Star Shines Live
Virtuosity Meets Heart: The Guitar Phenomenon Returns to Udine
Castello di Udine, July 19 2025
We were still under the impression of Vincent Garcia’s explosive funk set when Matteo Mancuso Udin&Jazz 2025 performance began. Taking the stage with his trio for the penultimate evening of the festival, the Italian guitar virtuoso—praised by Steve Vai, Al Di Meola, and Rick Beato—delivered ninety minutes of pure technical brilliance, improvisational freedom, and musical cohesion at the highest level. At just 26 years old, his stylistic range and control are staggering—guiding the audience effortlessly through jazz, rock, and fusion. As a special surprise, he invited Vincent Garcia back onstage at the end, offering a thrilling glimpse into the musical chemistry between these two rising stars.
From Silkroad to Sonic Fire
Joined by Riccardo Oliva on bass and Gianluca Pellerito on drums, Mancuso opened the set with “Silkroad,” an original composition from his 2023 debut album The Journey. The piece kicked off with a heavy, driving riff that hit like a punch, and once Mancuso began the verse, his uncanny control over the guitar was immediately apparent. Clean bends, chordal arpeggios, and lead lines flowed seamlessly, each note articulated with precision. The lighting design followed the music closely, adding extra punch to a closing riff that showcased Pellerito’s rhythmic agility.
From Weather Report to Genre-Shifting Improvisation
Switching guitars, the trio moved into jazz territory with Mancuso’s arrangement of Jaco Pastorius’s “Havona” from Heavy Weather by Weather Report. Playing the theme with his thumb and employing rich chordal textures, Mancuso launched into a fluent, jazz-inflected solo before passing the spotlight to Riccardo Oliva. On six-string bass, Oliva explored upper registers that bordered on guitar-like territory, delivering a fresh and technically refined solo. After a brief breakdown, Mancuso returned with a searing high-gain solo—seamlessly transitioning from jazz phrasing to rock intensity in a display of stylistic fluidity.
He paused to greet the audience and paid tribute to Pastorius, before introducing “Open Fields,” dedicated to his hometown of Palermo. Marking his first Italian concert after a six-week North American tour, the song carried emotional depth. Oliva delivered a soulful solo that fit the mood perfectly, while Mancuso used advanced tapping techniques without ever sacrificing melodic clarity.
Falcon Flight and Drums Unleashed
Next came “Falcon Flight,” another original that opened the floor for Gianluca Pellerito’s drumming. Starting in a drum’n’bass groove and transitioning into a high-octane fusion beat, Pellerito drove the piece with powerful energy. Mancuso matched his intensity, and their interplay escalated until Pellerito launched into a drum solo over a repeated riff, fully engaging the crowd. Mancuso then closed the tune with a dramatic solo cadenza that brought the castle audience to a moment of stillness.
A Nod to Jeff Beck, Then Straight into Jazz Blues
Mancuso’s rendition of “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers” (written by Stevie Wonder and made famous by Jeff Beck) paid tribute to the late guitar icon. Rather than imitate, Mancuso made the tune his own—his solo followed Oliva’s with emotional resonance, expressive bends, and phrasing that felt deeply personal.
From there, the trio jumped directly into “Blues for John,” a straight-ahead swing number laced with bebop guitar lines. Halfway through his solo, Mancuso shifted into a burning fusion style, the rhythm section pushing a shuffle groove underneath. Despite the change in energy, his sense of time and feel remained impeccable, returning to the head with composure that made the stylistic transformation feel entirely natural.
Spain, Shared Solos, and Mutual Respect
The trio’s tribute to Chick Corea came in the form of a vibrant version of “Spain.” With a fresh arrangement and a Latin-tinged groove, the band traded solos—guitar and bass over the form, and drums over a five-bar unison vamp—highlighting their interplay and individual flair. The message was clear: this wasn’t just a vehicle for individual prowess, but a true band performance where each member had space to shine.
Before the final number, Mancuso and Oliva performed the title track “The Journey” as a duet. Their deep emotional connection—both personal and musical—was evident. The interpretation was a highlight of the night, locking in so tightly that it felt like a single voice across two instruments.
Funk Finale and Encore Rock-Out
Mancuso then invited Vincent Garcia back to the stage for a rousing take on “The Chicken,” a fusion classic by Jaco Pastorius. Garcia brought the funk, trading licks with Mancuso in a joyful exchange that had the audience nearly on their feet. The energy was contagious, with smiles all around as they wrapped up the set in full-on jam mode.
For the encore, the trio delivered “Drop D,” a hard-hitting rock tribute from The Journey. As Mancuso noted, it was a nod to rock ’n’ roll—and when they ended on a thunderous final riff, the audience exploded into cheers. Though the crowd called for more, the concert concluded with a poetic touch as a recording of The Journey’s acoustic title track played through the PA, offering a soft epilogue to a blazing set.
Postscript: Beyond Technique
Matteo Mancuso proved once again why he’s one of the most talked-about guitarists in the world today. His command of styles, technical brilliance, and effortless transitions between genres are matched only by his humility and deep musicality. Supported by a tightly locked-in trio, Mancuso offered not just chops, but connection, spirit, and substance. His return to Udin&Jazz, following his debut here in 2023, confirmed that he’s not only a face of the new generation—but an artist already inspiring the next one.
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