Leonardo Guillermo Mattioli (born on August 13, 1972) is an Argentine singer-songwriter, whose suave brand of romantic cumbia gained a huge following in his native country during the 2000s. As the frontman and vocalist of Grupo Trinidad, Mattioli recorded six highly successful albums and jumped into the spotlight as one of the leading exponents of cumbia santafesina, a subgenre characterized by romantic lyrics and accordion-driven melodies. After a near-death experience in 2000 while touring with Grupo Trinidad, the singer released Un Homenaje Al Cielo, his solo debut. The album expanded Mattioli’s fanbase and spawned the hit singles “Después De Tí,” “Con Él No Soportas,” and “Tramposa y Mentirosa.” A string of sold-out shows at Teatro Gran Rex ensued in 2001, featured on the live album En Directo - Piel con Piel. Despite his ever-growing success, Mattioli struggled with recurring health issues that forced him to cancel several shows. Creciendo (2004) marked the crooner’s return to the stage, featuring a collection of songs recorded live and in the studio. In the following years, Mattioli’s output remained prolific as ever, cementing his reputation as one of the most celebrated cumbia singers in the country. On August 7th, 2011, a couple of days before turning 39, Mattioli suffered a cardiac arrest that resulted in his premature death.
