Biography

(to read the up-to-date bio, press reviews, show listing, etc for Matteo’s work please visit matteoliberatore.com)

Matteo started his music career in 2002 in Italy. He attended the Rodi Garganico Conservatory, where he studied classical guitar under guitarist Maestro Marco Salcito. He graduated in 2005 with high marks. 

In 2003 he formed the guitar duo Dodici Corde with Vincenzo Aniello. In 2004 they recorded “Days 4 Brazil”, a CD of contemporary Brazilian music. During these years, while teaching students in middle and high schools, he performed extensively and won several prestigious chamber music awards. 

In 2008 Matteo moved to New York. In 2010 he earned his masters degree in Jazz performance at New York University, where he taught for two years.

In 2009 he formed the Concepts Project Duo with bassist Jerry Devore. Their first album, Concepts (2010), was enthusiastically reviewed by All About Jazz: "The music of this album is delicate and fragile [...] original and fascinating."

During the same period Matteo started the experimental/jazz/noise/rock project Ashen Figure. Ron Sadoff (composer and NYU director of film scoring) called its music “striking and original".
Ashen Figure's original sound attracted the attention of former Sonic Youth producer Nick Sansano, who produced Matteo's latest group project Una Lux. The Una Lux EP, relesed in late 2014, received excellent reviews from the likes of NPR, WNYC, Entertainment Weekly, and Magnum Magazine.

Matteo first solo album came out in 2018 on Innova Recordings.

Curriculum Vitae

Education:

2010                     New York University, New York, NY
                             Steinhardt School of Education, Masters Degree in Jazz Performance

2005                    Conservatorio U. Giordano, Rodi Garganico, Foggia, Italy
                             Classical Guitar Diploma (Grade 10 out of 10)

Engagements as music teacher:

2010-2015           The Music Institute Of Long Island, Long Island

2013                         Long Island Conservatory, Long Island                                                                           

2008-2010               New York University, New York                                                                                      

2006-2008              Horizon Service Cultural Association, Sulmona, Italy                                                       

2004-2008              Nuovi Orizzonti Sociali association, Sulmona, Italy                                                           

2003-2004              Ovidio Middle School, Sulmona, Italy 

2002-2004              Enrico Fermi High School, Sulmona, Italy 

Awards:

2005                     B. Barattelli National Music Competition, Italy
                             1st Prize, Chamber Music Division

2005                     Musica Capitanata National Competition, Italy
                             1st Prize, Chamber Music Division

2004-2005            San Giovanni Rotondo National Guitar Competition, Italy
                              2nd Prize, Guitar Division

2005                     Ars Nova International Music Competition, Teramo, Italy
                             3rd Prize, Chamber Music Division

Recordings:

2018 Solos (Innova Recordings)

2014                   Una Lux's self titled Ep (Co-produced with Nick Sansano)

2011                   Ashen Figure's self titled LP

2009                   Concepts with Concepts Duo (New World Jazz Record Label)

2004                   Days 4 Brazil with Duo 12 corde