The seventh edition of the Gamboa In Blues Festival will take place in Gamboa, a central district of Rio de Janeiro, running from July 31st to August 31st. The program includes approximately 35 national and international performances at Mississippi Delta Blues Bar RJ, as well as events designed to introduce the public to the historical heritage of Little Africa and Morro da Providência.
Festival Program
The festival opening is scheduled for Friday, July 31st, at 6:30 PM, dedicated to a tribute to B.B. King by the Indianola Blues Boys. On Saturday, August 1st, an American Lady Trucker will perform with The Simi Brothers Band. This performer, originally from Mississippi, presents the Hill Country Blues style, characterized by repetitive rhythms and a strong influence from the musical tradition of the southern states of the USA.
A performance by Blues Etílicos is also expected on August 28th at Mississippi Delta Blues Bar. This group, recognized as one of the pioneers of blues in Brazil, celebrates forty years of career by presenting a repertoire that combines genre classics and original compositions.
The festival also provides a platform for artists from other musical genres. On August 8th, Nicole Cyrne, a backing vocalist for Blitz, will present a show in the neo-soul and R&B style with elements of MPB and Brazilian rock. On August 15th, saxophonist Beto Saroldi will perform with Funk Brothers with a program dedicated to soul and funk.
In addition to concerts, the festival marks the ninth anniversary of Mississippi Delta Blues Bar and invites visitors to learn about the history of the neighborhood. Morro da Providência has been chosen as the guest of honor for this session, considered the first favela in Brazil.
Tour of Little Africa History
On August 22nd, a tour of Morro da Providência is planned, led by researcher Cosme Filippsen, who was born and lives in this community. The program also includes a visit to the exhibition 'Tião: Photographer from Providência' at the Rio Museum of Art (MAR), a lunch on the terrace organized by Jura from Bar da Jura overlooking the neighborhood, and a performance by the band A Nuvem at the traditional Bar da Loira.
The main goal of the event is to connect the history of the Mississippi Delta, considered the cradle of the blues, with Little Africa, a neighborhood marked by the presence of Black people since slavery and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The program combines music, historical heritage, and gastronomy to present the public with various aspects of Afro-Brazilian memory preserved in Gamboa and Morro da Providência.
Event Schedule
The festival features performances: 07/31 — Indianola Blues Boys (B.B. King tribute); 08/01 — Lady Trucker (USA) and The Simi Brothers Band; 08/04 — Clube do Blues RJ with Isa Tatagiba; 08/06 — Alamo Leal feat. Nanda Moura; 08/07 — Sergio Rocha & André Casquilho; 08/08 — Nicole Cyrne; 08/10 — Prado Brothers Band; 08/11 — Clube do Blues RJ with Igor Prado; 08/12 — Lucky Dice Nights with Big Gilson; 08/13 — Forró da Lu; 08/14 — Tacy em Encontros with Esdras Bedai, Katia Jorgensen, Mila Castro, Vênus, Luli, and Vivi; 08/15 — Beto Saroldi & Funk Brothers; 08/18 — Clube do Blues RJ with Caru de Souza; 08/19 — A Nuvem at Bar da Loira; 08/20 — Os Silverados; 08/21 — Jomar Schrank – Bob Dylan Acoustic; 08/22 — Beat Shaver Blues; 08/25 — Clube do Blues RJ with Bruno Leiroza and Bebeto Daroz; 08/27 — Crispy Rio Brass Band; 08/28 — Blues Etílicos (40 years); 08/29 — Bebeto Daroz and Os Quem; 08/30 — River Blues; 08/31 — Trashed Pandas.
Parallel Program
Additional events include: 08/15 — visit to the Rio Museum of Art for the exhibition 'Tião: Photographer from Providência'; 08/19 — concert by the band A Nuvem at Bar da Loira, in Morro da Providência; 08/22 — tour of Morro da Providência with Cosme Filippsen; 08/22 — lunch on Jura's terrace, in Morro da Providência.
Event Information
The venue is Mississippi Delta Blues Bar RJ, located at Rua Pedro Ernesto, 89, Gamboa, Rio de Janeiro. The festival runs from July 31st to August 31st. Ticket prices range from 20 to 90 reais depending on the performer, and they can be purchased on the Uniticket platform.



