Mateus Asato
A true influencer on social media and a virtuoso at the service of pop music’s biggest names, Mateus Asato is one of those modern prodigies who have revolutionized the guitar world, making Instagram their own personal stage. Boasting 1.3 million followers on Instagram, Mateus has won over a vast community from his home base to the Grammy Awards stage alongside Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak.
Described as a Neo-Soul guitarist, Mateus integrates techniques such as hybrid picking and double stops into his riffs, bridging the gap to fingerstyle and jazz. Yet, his versatility spans multiple genres, with his playing and influence seamlessly blending into the musical styles of his collaborators: Anomalie, Polyphia, or The Band Camino.
Inspired by the guitar legends of the ’80s and ’90s like Paul Gilbert, John Petrucci, and Eddie Van Halen, the young Mateus, at just 9 years old and admiring Brazil’s greatest guitarists (Juninho Afram, Kiko Loureiro, or Edu Ardanuy), crafted a genuine cultural and musical identity by immersing himself in electric guitar. He would eventually win first place in the ‘Double Vision Contest,’ which served as the first major milestone in his career, pushing him to turn professional and set his sights on Los Angeles.
Following his education at the Musicians Institute (GIT) in Hollywood in 2013, he auditioned and became the guitarist for singer Tori Kelly, leading to fruitful collaborations across several tours in America and beyond. Jessie J also tapped into his talents for a worldwide tour from Pinkpop to Rock In Rio, where he performed on two notable occasions. Subsequently, a tour with Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak) marked a pinnacle in his career, alongside signing with Suhr Guitar to develop his signature guitar model in 2020, and serving as an instructor at the Guitar Universe 3.0 Masterclass by John Petrucci and the G4 Experience by Joe Satriani, sharing his expertise with the next generation.
With the promise of a solo album release in 2024, Mateus Asato continues to expand the limits of his artistry through his collaboration with Neural DSP in 2023 for his “Archetype: Mateus Asato,” blending innovation with tradition in a sound distinctly his own. His path, highlighted by prestigious collaborations and meaningful musical contributions, is a testament to his relentless pursuit of musical expression, establishing him as a pivotal figure in the realm of modern contemporary guitar.
Three of his tablatures are available on his website for free.