Abelita Mateus

Pianist, singer and composer from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Abelita Mateus is passionate about Brazilian Music. She studied classical piano in her teens, and gradually developed a passion for jazz. In Brazil she has performed with such great artists as Vinicius Dorin, Raul de Souza and Hermeto Pascoal. Living in New York since 2012, Abelita has become immersed in the jazz scene and is applying the “new sounds” into her own music, as a performer and composer.

She released her debut album Vivenda in 2017 (co-produced by and featuring guitarist Romero Lubambo), which reached the 24th position on the Jazz Week Charts.

In 2018 her second album Mixed Feelings was in the ballot for consideration to the Grammy in three categories; Best Latin Jazz Album, Best Engineered Album- Non-Classical, and Best Instrumental Composition. Mixed Feelings received great reviews in the EUA and in Europe.

Mateus is currently the pianist for the Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Cuban Experience, directed by Dizzy Gillespie alumni John Lee. She has performed with such notables as Paquito D’Rivera, John Lee, The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, Antonio Hart, Eric Alexander, Larry Coryell, Claudio Roditi, Raul de Souza, Hermeto Pascoal, Dave Stryker, Romero Lubambo, and Portinho.