"Work hard at what you love, treat everyone you meet like family, and try to smile here and there". Through it all, Gino Matteo still holds true to what he believes.
Being a rarity in today's Blues world, Gino Matteo is a young man with an incredible knowledge and respect for the past. A true student of the blues. Gino's performances are spontaneous, explosive, and original- a triple threat to the music world.
Gino is the definition of an "old soul" with a voice as smooth as velvet but tough as nails. Gino writes music about his life as he lives it. His love, joy, and pain pour through his guitar and voice, leaving audiences spellbound and wanting more. Using the experiences of the past, Gino Matteo's sound respectfully pays tribute to true Blues while adding a bit of his own life in between.
Recently, Gino was named "Best Blues Guitarist on the West Coast" at the Guitar Center Hollywood during the "King of the Blues" Competition in June 2006. From there he went on to Chicago to compete and open for B.B. King.
He is quickly carving out a name for himself as one of the finest guitarists in the country.
Over the course of Gino's career, he has performed with or opened for artists such as B.B. King, John Mayer, Hubert Sumlin, John Fogerty, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, The Blind Boys of Alabama, James Harman, R.J. Mischo, Mitch Kashmar, Pete Anderson, Kid Ramos, Johnny Dyer, Finis Tasby as well as many others.
Regardless of where anyone hears the distinct and powerful sound of Gino Matteo, one fact is certain. Gino Matteo loves what he does for a living and will continue to inspire and grasp audiences with his soulful and emotional sound. And he will do so with a smile.