Mateus defies categorization. His music draws from the urban sounds of his New York City youth, the rhythms of his Colombian homeland, and a vast spectrum of global traditions—a collision of worlds that fuels his singular artistic vision.

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Born in Bogotá, Colombia, and raised as an immigrant in America, Mateus built his reputation as a guitarist, composer, and producer who refuses to be confined by genre or trend. Whether exploring rock, funk, jazz, fusion, or their experimental offshoots, he's always pursued collaborations rooted in originality, authenticity, and substance. He's chosen artistic exploration over conventional career paths, collaborating with visionary musicians rather than chasing high-profile gigs.

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His commitment to music education and growth led him to study with masters including Chuck Wayne, Anthony Purrone, John Scofield, Cornell Dupree, and Robert Mamary, absorbing everything from jazz and classical guitar to country pedal steel.  Mateus has studied at the Graduate Center (CUNY) and holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University, with specialization in Latin American and Caribbean music traditions.

 

From the late '70s to today, Mateus has performed everywhere: Lincoln Center to CBGB, the Whitney Museum to the Nuyorican Café, touring the U.S. and Europe with experimental composers, choreographers, and jazz innovators like Anthony Braxton and Rhys Chatham. His projects span Latin jazz (Triage, Vallenato City), post-punk and reggae (Disturbed Furniture, The Terrorists, Rank & Phyle), rap-funk (Black Mambo Dreams), and Colombian folk traditions.

Now, as the world embraces cultural diversity, Mateus is ready to unleash music that's been waiting to erupt—a volcano of sound decades in the making.

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In 2008, Mateus won a GRAMMY for Best Historical Recording as producer of "The Live Wire: Woody Guthrie in Performance, 1949", and an ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award for his liner notes. Beyond performing, Mateus shares his passion as an educator, scholar, music archivist and community activist, hosting HUrdy Gurdy Songs, a weekly internet radio program on the Radio Free Brooklyn network. 

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Music is my life. Always has been. Always will be.