Matthew Mauser

Music is the heart and soul of entertainer, Matt Mauser. From a young age, Matt would sing and dance while making up his own lyrics to Elvis songs as his father played the guitar. At the ripe age of seven, Matt got his first job selling stereos and speakers at the Orange County Swap Meet alongside his uncle.

Unable to choose the music he liked while working, Matt was exposed to his 17-year-old uncle’s music favorites, which included rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Queen, The Beatles and Van Halen. On his eighth birthday his mom bought him his first guitar, and he wrote his first song that week. For more than 40 years since, he has fashioned a career as one of the West Coast’s most-sought-after events and party singers.

An Entertainer is Born
In junior high school, Matt fell in love with the music of pop icons like Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. For hours at a time, Matt could be found moonwalking around the house or tearing up the floor at school dances. Throughout high school and college, Matt continued to play the guitar but held back on starting a band. His athletic career as an All-American NCAA finalist in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke, and state champion for Golden West college in water polo came first, but the minute he graduated college his number one priority was starting a band.  

In 1997, Matt founded the party/rock band, Tijuana Dogs, and their unique style was met with rave reviews. “Moves like Mauser” – a catchphrase adapted from Adam Levine’s “Moves Like Jagger” – has caught on among his fan base, who appreciate his energetic and eccentric performance style as frontman for the Tijuana Dogs.

Matt Mauser Sings Sinatra
In 2011, Matt approached renowned producer, conductor, and musician, Pete Jacobs, with the idea of starting a Frank Sinatra tribute band. Their collaboration has led to a beautiful partnership in capturing the essence of a young Frank Sinatra at the height of his career, when singing with The Count Basie Orchestra at The Sands hotel in Las Vegas. 

That partnership turned into the creation of The Matt Mauser Big Band, which has been captivating multi-generational Frank Sinatra fans across the globe for more than a decade. Mauser has the unique ability to put a modern twist on Frank’s classic sound, while using his own style to entertain and educate audiences about Frank's life. His concerts have grown to include chart-topping hits from some of the most iconic performers of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and beyond.

A Father and Husband
For 15 years, Matt had his wife, Christina, by his side as the the brains behind the growth of his musical success, both with the Tijuana Dogs and his Sinatra-style shows. She was also his biggest fan. Christina and Matt grew their family to include three beautiful children – Penny Rose, Thomas Rey and Ivy Sparrow. They also taught together at Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar, she in P.E. and he in Spanish. It was at that school that they befriended Kobe Bryant. That friendship led to Christina getting a job as an assistant basketball coach with Kobe, and Matt writing songs for Kobe’s “The Punies” podcast, in addition to other musical projects with the NBA Lakers legend.

Feeling “Lost”
Christina was 38 years old and a devoted mother, wife, and friend when she died along with Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and six others, in a helicopter crash while traveling to a basketball tournament in Thousand Oaks, California.

Christina’s death has vastly altered the course of Matt's life and career. His melancholy tune about her untimely passing, “Lost,” has resonated amongst those who can relate to his pain and personal loss revealed within the song.

Pushing Forward
In addition to performing with The Matt Mauser Big Band and Tijuana Dogs, Matt is an America's Got Talent finalist who performs regularly with 16-time GRAMMY Award winner, David Foster. He is the author of Bittersweet Treasures: A Father’s Journey Through Loss and Healing, with a heartfelt mission to connect with others who have experienced similar struggles. In honor of his late wife, Christina, he founded The Christina Mauser Foundation, which provides scholarships to female high school student-athletes, celebrating her life and legacy. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from book sales benefit The Christina Mauser Foundation.

When he's not on stage, in the writing room, or spending time with his children, Matt can be found swimming laps with the Costa Mesa Aquatics Club. The former All-American swimmer at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has gone back to the pool daily since Christina’s passing, finding solace and healing in the water.