Julie Collura and Neil Mattson play at Vino Veritas
- Julie Collura (Voice)
- Neil Mattson (Guitar)
Julie Collura's evocative voice and Neil Mattson's expressive guitar take listeners on a musical journey through selections from the Great American songbook, featuring works by Porter, Mitchell, Bacharach, and Sondheim.
Influenced by Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, and Nancy King, Collura brings a warm and emotive approach to her vocals, evoking the classic jazz era.
Mattson's guitar playing draws from influences such as Hall, Pass, Frisell, and Green. Their collaboration is sophisticated yet understated, offering a playful exploration of musical nuances.
Julie Collura is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist. Her journey unfolds at the intersection of social work, music, and expressive arts therapy. Julie holds a Master of Social Work from the Tulane University School of Social Work, a Master of Music from the University of South Florida, and a Bachelor of Music from Florida Southern College. Additionally, she earned a Certificate in Intermodal Expressive Arts from Expressive Arts Florida Institute.
A classically trained clarinetist, Julie's music career includes fifteen years as an orchestra librarian, working with prestigious organizations such as the Oregon Symphony, the Florida Orchestra, and the Washington National Opera. As a vocalist, Julie performed with jazz ensembles, choirs, and an Afro-Cuban salsa band. Her teachers include Nancy King, Dee Daniels, and Mary Kadderly.
Julie's social work career encompasses significant roles, including supporting survivors of violence through the Louisiana Victim Outreach Program and the New Orleans Family Justice Center. She served as an advocate for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, providing in-person and crisis line support, as well as medical and legal advocacy. Beyond her professional roles, Julie volunteered extensively throughout the U.S. and East Africa.
Currently based in Portland, Oregon, Julie is the Therapist/Owner of Creative Change Works, LLC. Her practice involves providing individual and group therapy to adults facing various challenges, online and in-person expressive arts workshops, and creative consulting for arts and service organizations. Julie integrates her background and experience in the arts with her social work training to compassionately facilitate healing and change.
Neil Mattson is a seasoned guitarist, composer, arts leader, entrepreneur, and educator with more than 25 years of professional performance experience. As a founding member and arranger for The Hot Club of Detroit, Neil played a key role in winning the Detroit International Jazz Festival’s Heineken Star Quest Competition in 2004. His journey includes touring with Detroit jazz legend Marcus Belgrave and clarinet prodigy Dave Bennett.
Neil is a featured performer on numerous recordings, including Shy Girls' "Still Not Falling" (2013), Ben Macy’s “Of Scars and Permanence” (2012), James M. Gregg Quintet’s “Another Bridge Born” (2011), and Detroit Swingtet’s “Gypsy Djazz” (2006). He has performed at renowned festivals such as the Biamp PDX Jazz Festival, Montavilla Jazz Festival, Cathedral Park Festival, Ann Arbor Blues And Jazz Fest, Detroit Djangofest, Michigan Jazz Fest, and the Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival.
Neil's jazz-fusion project Trio Flux released their debut, self-titled record in 2011, followed by “Mobius” in 2013. His music has been commissioned and performed by the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble.
Neil received a Bachelor of Music, Summa Cum Laude, from Wayne State University, where he was honored with the Carl & Elinor Thom Harmony House Scholarship and the Joe Fava Scholarship. His excellence in music led to his election to the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Fraternity.
As the Founding Executive Director of Montavilla Jazz, Neil has been a driving force in supporting and elevating Portland’s jazz scene for over a decade. Simultaneously, he is the founder and CEO of Montavilla Guitar Studio, impacting thousands of students and facilitating the professional growth of numerous music teachers.
