Matteo Mancuso, born in 1996, a guitar child prodigy, approached the world of music at an early age,

thanks to his father Vincenzo. He enrolled in a musical high school where he deepened his studies in

classical guitar and founded the trio “SNIPS.” With this trio, he released the famous version of “The

Chicken,” which quickly reached millions of views across various social media platforms.

In 2019, he began a collaboration with Yamaha Guitars, participating in the NAMM Show in Los

Angeles, the “Young Guitar Festival” in Bangkok, and several masterclasses in Russia (Moscow, St.

Petersburg, and Perm).

In 2020, Matteo formed his new trio with Stefano India on bass and Giuseppe Bruno on drums, and

began dedicating space to his compositional vein by presenting his first original tracks. This marked

the beginning of his first intense live activity in Italy and Europe, which developed throughout

2021/2022.

On July 21, 2023, his first solo album, titled “The Journey,” was released. This work outlines his

authentic, polyhedric musical nature and kicks off a new cycle of concerts with his new lineup, featuring

Riccardo Oliva on bass and Gianluca Pellerito on drums. This cycle will continue throughout 2024 with

more than 50 concerts between the USA and Europe.

In 2025, he will embark on his first major international tour with over 30 concerts in the main cities of

the United States and Canada. His YouTube channel is followed by a vast international audience of

nearly 300,000 subscribers. He has received praise and recognition, among others, from Steve Vai, Al

di Meola, Joe Bonamassa, and Eric Johnson.

This show is all ages with a parent or guardian for those under 21.

All ticket sales are final.

Nikita Nakonechnyi - Solo Special Guest Artist

A San Diego–based jazz guitarist originally from Odesa, Ukraine, known for his expressive blend of jazz, fusion, and melodic storytelling. A formally trained musician, Nikita earned a degree in jazz guitar from the R. Glier Kyiv Municipal Academy of Music before relocating to the United States in 2022. He has performed and collaborated with internationally recognized artists including Bob James, Jamala, Eric Moore, and Andrey Chmut. His debut album Steps (2023) showcases his refined technique and compositional voice, followed by the collaborative single “One Day in L.A.” Drawing from both Eastern European roots and West Coast influences, Nikita brings a modern, nuanced approach to contemporary jazz guitar.

Congratulations to our Battle of the Bands winner: Ben Sairin!

Ben earned his opening slot with a standout performance driven by thoughtfully crafted guitar work and compelling original compositions. The judges were unanimous — his sound, musicianship, and stage presence made him the perfect fit to kick off the night.

No stranger to big stages, Ben has previously shared bills with legends like Chris Cornell, UFO, and Foreigner during his earlier career. A lifelong student of music, Ben brings relentless curiosity, positive energy, and deep gratitude to every live performance. For him, music isn’t just something you play — it’s the gift that keeps on giving.