Jean Michel Mattia , musician and composer from the South of France started studying the Saxophone
with Fabrice Pialot in 1983 and then further developed his knowledge at Jazz
Action Montpellier.
In 1986 he settled in Brazil where he multiplied his musical
experiences with groups such as “Auto Reverse,†“Conexao Latina,†“Ilu Bataâ€
and alongside musicians like the percussionist Sergio Otanazetra.
Jean Michel then went on to further his musical studies with Andy McGhy and Joe Viola at
Berklee College in Boston.
Upon his return to Brazil in 1991 Jean Michel began to work with the Bahian singer Mariela Santiago (backing singer for Gilberto Gil and Carlinhos Brown) and the French composer Pascal Heranval.
He also played and composed for “Agbeokuta,†a world music group that participated in numerous
international festivals.
Still immersed in the Bahian lifestyle Jean Michel became a member of the Latin Big Band, led by the trombonist Fred Dantas, formed a Jazz Duo with Pascal Heranval, accompanied the Brazilian singer Rebecca Matta, worked with the “Jean-Paul Charles Quartet†and on several occasions played with the group “Afro Malé de Balé†at the renowned Bahian carnival.
Settled in France now since 1997 Jean Michel has worked with a number of Brazilian groups including Oba Brasil, Connexion Brasil, Obatala and has played alongside the Brazilian singer Dito Inacio.
For 9 years Jean Michel was a key member of the Jazz Quartet, Swing Macadam and since the beginning of 2008 he has been concentrating on his own work.
Ce saxophoniste et compositeur du sud de la France commence à étudier l'instrument avec Fabrice Pialot qui lui donne le gout et la passion pour le jazz , puis en 1984 il rentre au Jazz Action Montpellier.
Deux ans apres il s'installe au Brésil ou il multiplie ces expériences musicales au sein de groupes tels que : "Auto Reverse", "Conexao Latina", "Ilu Bata" et avec des musiciens comme le percussionniste Sergio Otanazetra.
Ensuite c’est à Boston, au Berklee college of music qu’il continue ses études musicales avec des professeurs tel qu' Andy Mc Ghy et Joe Viola.
De retour au Brésil en 1991, il travaille avec la chanteuse bahianaise Mariela Santiago (choriste pour Gilberto Gil et Carlinhos Brown ) et le compositeur Pascal Heranval.
Il joue et compose pour le groupe de world music "Agbeokuta" avec lequel il se produit dans de nombreux festivals internationaux.
Il est aussi membre du Big Band latin du tromboniste bahianais Fred Dantas, forme un duo de jazz avec Pascal Heranval, accompagne la chanteuse brésilienne Rebecca Matta, joue au sein du "Jean-Paul Charles Quartet" et il participe plusieurs fois au carnaval de Bahia avec le groupe "Afro Malé de Balé".
Installé en France depuis 1997, il participe à diverses formations brésiliennes tel que Oba Brasil , Dito Inacio, Connexion Brasil,Obatala...
Co-leader du groupe Swing Macadam pendant 9 ans il se consacre depuis debut 2008 Ã son travail personnel.