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Big Gilson

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 a TopCat Records artist, is poised to put Rio de Janeiro on the blues map.

Big Gilson, 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.

Gilson have released ten CDs in his native country, and honed his chops the last fourteen years giging on his own (in Brazil, Argentina, Europe and USA) and as the opening act for Steve Winwood on his Brazilian tour, Johnny Rivers (70.000 people audience), and twice to the master B.B. King. While touring America, and giging at such clubs as Florida’s Bamboo Room, New York’s Blue Note, and all over Chi-town, the band knocked out such blues gods as Corey Harries, Duke Robillard, Lonnie Brooks, Magic Slim, Saffire, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and Buddy Guy, who extended the Boy from Brazil an open invitation to play his Legends Club anytime.

In 2005 he spent the whole month on May touring in UK and came back there for another tour in September / October this year. In the mean time between those tours in Europe he toured in the US, performing in four different states in such important venues such as the Blue Note, NY (fifth time), the Bamboo Room, FL (third time) voted four years in the row the best blues club in America, the Tobacco Road (one of the oldest clubs in America, for the fifth time, the best Dallas club, the Deep Ellum Blues among others.

Gilson released in 2005, LIVE IN TEXAS, a live recording CD produced by veteran player, producer and multiple W.C Handy award winner Richard Chalk, who produced the blues legends Muddy Waters, Freddie King, Big Mama Thornton and Big Joe Turner, among many others. LIVE IN DALLAS was recorded live at the legendary BLUE CAT BLUES club in Dallas, Texas on September 23rd 1999. This is Big Gilson's last release playing his trademark Gibson SG. Just after this show, he switched to his "new baby" Fender Stratocaster NIKITA. (He blames it on those Texans, hehehe...)

2006 started red hot. Gilson toured January in California, performing at the NAMM SHOW – one of the finest musical instruments show in the world, among other venues. Also coming up, Brazilian and Europe tour.