“If purveyors of the high lonesome sound had hunkered down in northeast Brazil, the result might be something like Matuto. Based in New York City and fronted by American-born fusionists Clay Ross and Rob Curto, Matuto builds on a foundation of forro, the accordion/percussion-based folk style popularized by the legendary Luiz Gonzaga, “The Soul of the Sertao” (“sertao” being the term for Brazil’s arid Brazilian hinterlands). Widely regarded as the foremost ambassador of forro, Curto takes the accordion to town in unlikely selections such as the traditional blues ballad “John the Revelator.” Matuto means “bumpkin” in Brazilian slang, but this band aims for the heights of world-music sophistication.” – Chicago Sun Times

The wheels on the SUV go round and round, round and round, round and round…  We’re excited to be playing the Chicago World Music Festival, Madison World Music Festival, and several other shows in the Midwest from Sept. 14th to Sept. 22nd.  Check out the Shows page for more details.  Hope to see you on the road!

Matuto was selected as one of 12 bands from nearly 300 nationwide applicants to tour internationally as American Musical Ambassadors through the U.S. State Department and American Voices. Congrats to Skip Ward, Rob Curto, Richie Barshay, and Mazz Swift-Camlet who will make up the quintet for this tour!!!