Rutger Mathys

Rutgers life is dominated by music and creation. When he was six years old he learned to play the piano. After a classical education, he opted for a jazz education at the art school. There he discovered his love for the chromatic harmonica. Rutger is now studying this amazing instrument at the jazz master's program at the Codarts conservatory in Rotterdam (NL). After winning the Toots Thielemans Challenge in 2022, organized by Toots' management, his career shifted up a gear. He is now supported by the same management. In the wake of his win, he played for the royal family of Belgium, went to play in Berlin in November 2022 and played at the Brussels Jazz Festival in 2023. In addition to his solo career, he continues to build on his projects that seem far apart, but always have Rutgers unique harmonica touch in common. Including his "Duo Gaitar" with his former teacher, the Dutch guitarist Marijn van der Linden. They play a quirky mix of jazz, chanson and Brazilian music. Together with his old schoolmates, he also has a funk-fusion band: Shikata Ga Nai, with whom he played at the Gent Jazz Festival. Their debut album will be released in October 2023. In addition, he also leads the Mercier/Mathys Quartet which has won the Dinant Jazz Competition in 2023. Besides this he is active in theater projects, tango and choro groups, ... In short: He is working on numerous projects, both within the borders of music and beyond and most of all: across them!