Louis Matute unveils Dolce Vita, a bold and vibrant album. Recorded at the legendary La Frette Studio, this record blends Honduran heritage with Brazilian influences, merging jazz, groove, Caribbean rock and vintage textures into a poetic and deeply committed work. Having gained recognition at prestigious festivals, Matute collaborates here with remarkable artists such as Joyce Moreno, Dora Morelenbaum, Gabi Hartmann and Rico TK. In March 2025, Louis set up camp at La Frette, a rock-tinged, vintage studio just outside Paris, where the likes of Nick Cave, Parcels and Pony Hoax have all recorded. Once again, Matute places his trust in his Large Ensemble — an exciting collective of young Franco-Swiss talents — to push the boundaries of his music. 

Born and raised in Geneva, Matute has spent his life embracing the Latin essence suggested by his surname (pronounced with an é). His journey has taken him to Spain, Cuba, Costa Rica, Honduras, and 
most recently Brazil, where he completed Dolce Vita alongside the voices of Joyce Moreno and Dora Morelenbaum. Throughout, these new tracks showcase the phenomenal drumming of Nathan Vandenbulcke, the fierce trumpet solos of Zacharie Ksyk (on Tegucigalpa 72), the smouldering tenor sax of Léon Phal (O Que O Amor), the solid foundation of double bassist Virgile Rosselet, and the extraordinary versatility of pianist Andrew Audiger.

Meanwhile, longtime listeners will recognise Matute’s sensitive writing, his moving melodies, the soulful interplay between trumpet and tenor, and a guitarist whose rare but perfectly placed solos make an even greater impact. Louis Matute is more than a musician: he is a deeply engaging and inquisitive artist whose unmistakable style reveals itself from the very first bars. Yet behind the irony of the title Dolce Vita lies a darker, more painful story: the forced exile of Louis’s grandfather and his family, driven out by the Honduran dictatorship. This album sees Louis delve into the troubled history of Latin America — a region long at the mercy of military strongmen and imperialist corporations crushing local farmers under their rule. 

“Beyond the music, this album is a quest for identity. Dolce Vita tells the story of my family’s exile and my grandfather’s role in Tegucigalpa, fighting against American imperialism and their efforts to subjugate Central America through the United Fruit Company.” - Louis Matute