Matuto is the ultimate summer festival band! They can wow audiences with their song-craft and musicianship during Main Stage Performances, keep a party in full swing with their high energy grooves on the Dance Stage, then engage children and enthusiasts during Interactive Workshops in the morning and afternoon. Deeply rooted in American Musical Traditions, Matuto embraces modern techniques and global influences, guiding their audiences to new worlds through familiar sounds. They have shared their dynamic talents on renowned stages including Chicago World Music Festival, Madison World Music Festival, Expressions of Brazil Festival, Ingenuity Fest Cleveland, LEAF Festival, The Philadelphia Folk Festival, The Grassroots Festival, The Kennedy Center, Summer Dance Chicago, The Krannert Center, REC BEAT Festval, Garanhuns Jazz Festival, The Blue Note Jazz Club, Musikfest, and many more.

Their electrifying stage show won them a spot as one of only 35 groups out of over 750 applicants from around the world to showcase at the 2011 WOMEX World Music Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. Other honors include their 2012 appointment as “American Musical Ambassadors” for the U.S. State Department that will bring them to stages throughout West Africa, Northeast Brazil, and Eastern Europe.  

The members of Matuto have worked with some of the most respected names in music.  Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Esperanza Spalding, Cyro Baptista, Tony Trischka, Steve Martin, Bela Fleck, Phoebe Snow, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Cyndi Lauper, Cassandra Wilson, Abigail Washburn, The Wild Colonials, Lila Downs, Yo Yo Ma, Lee Konitz, The Klezmatics, Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner, Natalie Merchant, David Krakauer, Pete Seeger, and many others have called upon their talents. Matuto performances showcase exactly why these players and personalities are in such enthusiastic demand.

Presenter Endorsements

“We had such an incredible time with Matuto. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been stopped over the past week by people telling me that they were blown away by the show.  And if my 6-year-old nephew is any indication, the kids’ event was a raging success.” - Nikki Malley, PhD – Knox College Director of Jazz Studies

“Matuto’s rocking combination of Brazilian forro and American bluegrass music was a killer addition to World Music Festival Chicago: 2013. Their awesome songs, great musicianship, and interaction with our audiences was fantastic. We’d book them again in a second.” - Jack McLarnan, Coordinator – World Music Festival Chicago

“Matuto combines Brazilian forró and American bluegrass into an infectious rhythm that immediately got our audience engaged and moving.   Superb Show!” – Ralph Russo – Cultural Arts Director – University of Wisconsin, Madison

“Matuto was a great addition to our world music festival this year. Our audience responded to the music immediately and packed the dance floor without hesitation.” - Bob Queen, Artist Selection Committee - MadisonWorld Music Festival – Madison, WI

“Matuto is simply one of the most innovative groups we have presented in the last several years, with smart and fresh arrangements, where traditional North American music beautifully embraces Brazilian rhythm… What a joy!”
- Alfredo Caxaj, Executive Director – Sunfest – London, Ontario

“Matuto were great in every way. They are fabulous musicians, delightful to work with, and they brought the crowds to their feet creating joyous feelings all around! Before the concert was over we were already planning to have them back!”
- Liz Reese, Warwick Summer Arts Festival – Warwick, NY

“There were many stages to watch at Womex 2011, but when I heard the sound of the accordion mixed with percussion, and saw the enormous enthusiasm, authenticity, and passion of the musicians, I decided not just to watch the show, but to bring Matuto to Brazil! And it was a total success!” - Sonally Pires-Abril Pro Rock-Pernambuco-Brasil

“Bringing Matuto to Recife, Brazil to perform as part of Luiz Gonzaga’s 100^th anniversary celebration was an emotional and enriching experience. It was a very unconventional proposal to present a band from New York at such a traditional festival, but Matuto completely connected with the public and media, and made this an unforgettable São João!” - Patricia Vita-Vila de Todos os Santos-Pernambuco-Brasil

“Even at the back of the house, you could feel the electricity in the air. It was so much more than I expected from listening to cuts on your website. I expected the great musicianship, but what I didn’t expect was your immense charm and your ability to impart to your audience the total joy of being alive. I can’t recall a night quite like it in the Kip. Thank you, thank you! Come back soon!!!!”
- Katy Heine, Events Coordinator – Cornell University – Ithaca, NY

“Matuto brought flair and excitement to Rochester with their unique sound! Their energetic yet refined style was enjoyed by all…. Also, very fun to have a lead man enjoy engaging the audience with stories and conversation…. Pure joy to work with and hope to have them back in the future!”
- Allen Buell, Special Events Director, George Eastman House – Rochester, NY

“Matuto Rocks!!! The show was beautiful and the audience loved that the band was so nice and available to talk with everyone after the show.”
- Barbara Fuente – Expressions of Brazil Festival – Harbor Front Center – Toronto, CA

“Matuto was a complete unknown to our audience at the beginning of the night, but by the end of the concert they were beloved by all. Young and old danced in the aisles to a type of music that many had never heard before. The band showered the old Opera House with pure joy and our audience has rarely been so happy! The energy that Clay and the band brought to the stage pulsed through the house and seeped into the walls! The musicianship, eclectic instruments, and intimate story telling had the multi-generational crowd completely mesmerized. This performance far exceeded our expectations and I’ve continued to get positive feedback even weeks later!”
- Cathy Sherrill, Executive Director – The Opera House – Boothbay Harbor, ME