Diego Mattiassi

My name is Diego Mattiassi (many know me as Dave Steel)

I am an italian musician, composer, arranger and sound engineer, currently based in Slovenija. 

I started my career in 1982, studying classical guitar in Triest, under the guidance of Lucio Zanella.

Ten years later I move on and took up jazz guitar studies, together with Gigi Cifarelli. Meanwhile I started playing saxophone in Mantova, under the guidance of Mauro Negri.

Then I studied in Vicenza, with Robert Bonisolo and in Verona with Francesco Bearzatti.

Between 1986 and 1996, in Milan, I closely collaborated with Valerio Negrini: Pooh's famous lyricist. Together with him, I realized and signed many compositions.

In the same period I carried out a fierce live activity, playing guitar in many italian music clubs. 

I attended radio and television broadcasts, as guitarist and singer both in Rai and private broadcasting.

In 1994, I have been the protagonist of a photo shooting, realized by the internationally renowned photographer Guido Harari, for King Magazine.

I took part as a singer - choralist in a gospel choir during the Pooh Live at Verona Palasport, under the direction of Maestro Fio Zanotti.

In 1996 I decided to enhance the working field, introducing there my passion: Saxophone. I have been working with many jazz, blues and funky international artists: Duke Robillard, Glauco Venier, Josy Dale, Norma Winstone to name but a few.

During 1996 - 2006 decade I carried out many musical projects, in the rule of arranger, collecting merits on illustrious music magazines: one of them was Bluesreview.

I collaborated with a number of labels, including Statéra and played live shows in RTV Slovenija, captured by the engineers of Lubijana Radio and Television seat's theatre.

Moreover, I worked with ORF (Austrian National Television), joining musical live shows. 

At the same time I have been playing saxophone throughout Europe, performing in small complexes and orchestras.

I played at Locarno Blues Festival (Locarno International Film Festival), Porretta Soul Festival, No Borders Music Festival (Tarvisio), Bluesiana Rock Café (Velden), Szigest Festival (Budapest), Lastovo Jazz Festival, Bp - Bośko Petrović - Club (Zagabria) - that was one of my first live shows, via streaming, worldwide broadcasted.

I also performed at al Vapore (Venezia), “Le Scimmie” and “Al Sorpasso” (Milano);

furthermore I performed in several national theaters: Treviso, Udine, Trieste, Gorizia, Milano, Roma and many others..

From 1988 to the present I have been working as a sound engineer.

The lists of my works also includes several jobs for famed international names: Enel, Luxottica, Maserati, Accenture, Generali, Axa and others. I work whether as a phonic, sound engineer, dialogue editor, soundtracks composer for audio - video projects and as a organizer of multimedia stands.

I own a personal recording space: the Sonum Recording Studio that is placed in a quiet, relaxing environment. You can admire the Karstic hills all around, lying in a bright beauty landscape; there is no more ideal location to inspire yourself and let creativity flow.

Last but not least my tuition job, that have been carried forward for 25 years. I am teaching both music (saxophone, guitar, singing, electric bass) and technical issues on recording sounds related jobs activities.

Two of my pupils are: Gabriele Virgilio Pribetti and Giovanni Cigui.

It is important that all students are equipped with customized tools so we can move forward in the way that better suits them.

I like to talk about music genres in terms of language. Be Bop, blues, funk, pop etc. are different languages. Students can choose to become fluent in one or most of them.

I need to hear students playing before to arrange a study program (short, medium and long-term)

Particular attention is given to ear training, rhythmic and harmonic knowledge: crucial skills for developing improvisation.