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Matteo Mancuso
Electrified Kent
With Outstanding
Guitar Playing

February 25, 2026

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Virtuoso guitarist, Matteo Mancuso and his incredible two-piece backing band put on a clinic of musicianship and dexterity at the Kent Stage last night.

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Mancuso is about to release his second album titled Route 96, which pays tribute to the American highway, Route 66 and his birth year of 1996.  Fans got a sneak peak of many of these new tunes which included the show opener "Solar Wind."

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His ninety minute set included many different genres of music.  From rock, to jazz to fusion, to blues and even metal.  Mancuso and his band played each genre with technical skill and procession.   On the jazzier songs, he let his bassist and drummer take the spotlight to show off their own individual skills as well.

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In the middle of the set, the band covered Chick Corea's "Spain," then followed that up with a new blues based tune called "L.A. Blues One."

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The crowed showed their appreciation of such technical prowess by listening intently to every song and then giving a rousing ovation at the conclusion of each tune.

 

The main set closed with what Mancuso called his "metal song."  Then admitted, it isn't really metal but more of a fusion song.   No matter what you call it, "Black Centurion" rocks!

 

A standing ovation brought the band back to play a two song encore that included "The Chicken" from his first album and the rockin' "Drop D."

 

This was Mancuso's second appearance at The Kent Stage.  I believe the next time he comes to town, tickets will be sold out.

 

 

Photos and review by Greg Drugan 

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