- Matteo Salvatori: Timbales, Bongos & Percussions (Italy)
- Matteo was born in Italy in 1977. He soon began his percussion studies, first by himself then with private teachers. At the percussions school 'Timba School of music' in Rome he studies for six years with Roberto Evangelisti, Walter Paiola and Paulo la Rosa. Then he moves to Cuba to acquire a thorough education in Congas, Timbales, Bongò and many other instruments of the traditional Afro-Cuban folklore, studying with Tata Guines, Rolando Rodriguez Oliva and Ariel Montaracy Joinaz. Many concerts followed in Italy with different bands like Dou-doumbà (Africa), N.P.A (Italy), Euro-Latina (Cuba-Italy). In 2001 he started to play with Croma Latina, a Latin Band with which he played at the International Show Exhibition of Latin music meeting famous artists like Jimmy Bosh, Alfredo de la Fè, Paulito FG, Johnny Ray, Frankie Negròn and many others. With Croma Latina he also played at the 'Viareggio Festival' to open the concert of 'NG La band'. Many concerts followed at Festivals in other important Italian cities (Rome, Milan, Florence, Catania, Palermo) and further away in Europe like Stockholm, Haskovo, Bratislava, Bellinzona, Lugano, London. Since a couple of years Matteao works in a recording studio where he collaborated in the making of many albums and singles like: Croma Latina, El Rubio Loco, Pedro Mena Peraza, Paola Lorenzi, Carlos Merlet, Mariano Enrique Mena, Zulma Jaime, Nobraino, Achevere de Cuba, Romy Splinter Rojas and Lavalamp. Since 2008 Matteo is endorser for the worldwide respected percussions manufacturing company Meinl. In 2009 he started his collaboration with 'Hamlet & his Latin Jazz Experience'.
