Rutger Mathys

Rutger Mathys and his natural path to music

Rutger Mathys and music have belonged together ever since he went to school. From the very beginning he was given the opportunity to learn the piano, make music with other children, play the drums in the orchestra and sing in the choir.

He discovered the harmonica when, as a young pianist, he wanted to play “Piano Man”, Billy Joel’s legendary song. Rutger hears the intro with piano and harmonica and immediately knows what he wants.

He is magically drawn to the sound. He describes the harmonica as having the ability to evoke a deep melancholy. Regardless of how it is played – in an orchestra or a big band – and whether it is electrically amplified or not, you can always hear the specific, unique sound.

Rutger experienced his childhood and youth in a town not far from Ghent in Belgium as very harmonious. The open and artistic environment of his school led him naturally to become a musician. In Rotterdam, he studied jazz music at the Codarts conservatory. Unlike many specialised music academies, Codarts brings together different arts such as dance, circus and music. Rutger is also exposed to and plays a wide variety of musical styles. His horizons broadened enormously.

In a world music ensemble, Rutger meets the course leader and guitarist Marijn van der Linden, who opens up the world of Brazilian music to him. From the very beginning, they both felt a deep connection. They play songs by Jacques Brel, Frank Sinatra and their own compositions. They now perform regularly as “Duo Gaitar” on international stages.

Jazz is alive
Rutger has won several prestigious jazz prizes, including the legendary Toots Thielemans Challenge 2022, which in turn has given him access to other musical worlds. By playing with a wide variety of musicians, he is constantly coming up with new ideas himself. Music, and jazz in particular, is alive, says Rutger. Sounds that come out of the moment, are formed, are energetic.

No matter what formation Rutger plays in, he lives the music. With his band “Shikata Ga Nai”, which he founded with school friends, he invents the “New Sound from Ghent”. He plays classical music by Debussy, Bach and Mendelssohn with an electric guitarist. And who knows what else he will come up with. His biggest fans are his parents and sisters. They have little to do with music themselves and are therefore an important balance for Rutger in his rich universe.