Artist description Blues-rock guitar slinger with lots of originals. Has influence of most of blues styles with more southern feel.

Music Style Blues Rock

Musical Influences Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Elmore James, Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd

Similar Artists Johnny Winter, Eric Clapton and Allman Brothers

Artist History When the average fan thinks of hotbeds of the blues, he or she thinks of cities like Chicago, Austin, and Memphis, and even such far-flung outposts as London and Paris. That’s all set to change, however, as this red-hot Brazilian, guitarist Big Gilson is poised to put Rio de Janeiro on the blues map. He was born in Rio in 1959, and plays guitar since the age of 15, when he first time listen to a Johnny Winters record, and decided what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. A founding member of the wildly successful Brazilian blues-rock quintet Big Allanbik (Portuguese for "Big Whiskey Still") Gilson and Co. have released four CDs in their native country, and honed their chops the last six years giging on their own (in Brazil and America) and as the opening act for Steve Winwood on his Brazilian tour, Johnny Rivers (70.000 people audience), and master B.B. King on his most recent tour of Brazil. While touring America, and giging at such clubs as Miami’s Tobacco Road, New York’s Blue Note, and all over Chi-town, the band knocked out such blues gods as Duke Robillard, Lonnie Brooks, and Buddy Guy, who extended the Boys from Brazil an open invitation to play his Legends Club anytime. After a successful US Tour (NY, Washigton., Maryland, and Texas) Feb. / 2000 and March, when he played in such important places as THE BLUE NOTE – NY and KENNEDY CENTER in DC, were featured on TV on Washington News Channel 4, 6 o'clock news for "Blues from Brazil" Big Gilson is joined on his second solo album CAB DRIVER BLUES - by a crisp Dallas rhythm section, "The Blues Dynamite" - Bobby Chitwood on bass and Tyrone Starks behind the traps- along with special guests such as the lusciously sultry vocalist Cricket Taylor and Big D harpmeister Hash Brown. Three titanic axe-men, Lone Star legend Bugs Henderson, Mr. Bad News From Baton Rouge himself, Kenny Neal, and Texas guitar slinger Holland K. Smith also drops in to lay down some cool licks. There is a tangible Texas feel to the album and most on the sizzling shuffle “Big G. Billy”. Cab Driver Blues was released the spring of 2000 in North America on the Dallas, Texas based blues label, the TopCat Records. Gilson rips through this CD as well as his live performances as if his heart (and fingers) were on fire. After hearing this CD, with the growling slide riff at the intro of the title track, and after seeing him live, you'll know that this is some hot bluesman. Not hot Brazilian bluesman, mind you, but hot bluesman period. Stylistically, his performances range from gutbucket electric blues to blues-rock with stops in New Orleans and Memphis. There are lots of bands out there, in America and around the world , who play the blues. They play the blues but you can tell they don’t feel the blues. Big Gilson is most definitely not one of those bands. This boy may hail from Rio, but he plays like he was born and raised in South Oak Cliff, and there is no higher testament a native Texan and lifelong blues freak can give. John Nova Lomax - Music Independent Magazine, Houston-Texas. BIG GILSON is currently releasing his latest CD, LIVE AT THE BLUE NOTE - NY, recorded live at the greatest jazz club in the world. The club rarely opens its doors to the Blues, the exceptions being the likes of BB King, ray Charles and Dr John. This performance features participation from American harmonica player Bruce Ewan and his band, The Solid Senders, whose members have played alongside names like Jimi Hendrix, Nils Lofgreen, Roy Buchannan and Danny Gatton. The outstanding sound engineers for the project have worked with artists such as The Allman Brothers Band, Dr John, Jerry Lee Lewies among others. The show is a milestone for BIG GILSON, as it is a testimony and a celebration of his solo career in the US. This all-star band and crew provide the proper foundation, which allows him to not only express, but overflow the feeling and adrenaline. A musical experience that can only be captured on a live album. The euphoric reaction of the crowd, the connection with the musicians and engineers has once again confirmed his choice to follow that long and difficult road which is the life of a bluesman.

Group Members Big Gilson - Guitars and Vocals Beto Werther - Drums F�bio Mesquita - Bass

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums, Hammond B-3 organ, Piano and Harp

Albums Live at The Blue Note-NY, Cab Driver Blues and Yelow Mojo Blues

Press Reviews “...When I see such a young man so far from America, playing the blues so well, I feel happy and proud that my mission in this life is done” B.B. King – Dec. /98 “His slide playing is disturbingly vituosic” – Tim Schuller – MET MUSIC – Texas – Dez. 99 “The king of the slide guitar” A Tarde News- Salvador, Bahia - 2001 "This CD confirms Big Gilson as the best Brazilian blues guitarist, on this outstanding CD when he plays with a powerful Texan band...” Jornal do Brasil – March / 99 “Excellent guitar solos full of feelings and powerful slide playing. He’s vibrato is super cool” Guitar Player Magazine – February / 99

Additional Info Lots of them. Check out my web site: www.biggilson.com

Location Rio de Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

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