Manuel Matos was born in Leiria, Portugal, and began playing the guitar at the age of 10. By 13, he was already performing live on a regular basis, initially as a bass player in a local covers band. During these early years, his musical interests were primarily rooted in blues and rock.
He went on to study jazz guitar and vocals at Hot Clube de Portugal, where he completed four years of training, finishing his studies in 2018. During this period, he worked with teachers such as Sérgio Pelágio and Bruno Pernadas (guitar), and Margarida Campelo and Rita Maria (vocals). Alongside his studies, he was actively involved in several musical projects and participated in studio recordings, collaborating with artists and ensembles such as Trio Edna and Francisco Vicente.
After completing his studies, he began teaching guitar while focusing increasingly on composition. Around this time, he developed a growing interest in the Portuguese guitar, taking his first steps with the instrument and gradually deepening his involvement with it.
In 2021, he joined the band Ossos d’Ouvido, performing live as an electric guitar and synthesizer player. The project moved through territories such as psychedelic rock, nu-jazz, and experimental music. Parallel to this work, he dedicated himself to the Portuguese guitar, with particular attention to the style and musical legacy of Carlos Paredes. This process led him to begin performing solo Portuguese guitar concerts in 2022. In 2023, he was featured on Biloba´s debut album “Sala de espera” as a Portuguese guitar player.
In 2024, he moved to Berlin, where he continued performing solo Portuguese guitar concerts and developed a duo project with double bassist Higino Andrade. Simultaneously, he worked as bass and keyboard player for the project of soul singer Red.bird, performing live and later recording her EP, Common Emotions.
In 2025, he joined Serenata Portuguesa, through which he developed a closer relationship with the traditions of Fado de Coimbra and Fado de Lisboa, performing concerts on a regular basis. During the same year, he also took part in an artistic residency and live recording project led by composer and producer Diogo Lourenço, contributing as a singer, lyricist, and guitar player. Alongside these activities, he deepened his interest in music production, dedicating himself to understanding the creative and technical processes behind recording and sound design.
Manel’s influences span a wide range of musical genres. His curiosity and passion for the pursuit of sound continue to drive his interest in playing different instruments and engaging with diverse musical styles, shaping a versatile and constantly evolving artistic path
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