About Gerson Galante

Gerson Galante (saxophone / clarinet / flute), is multi-instrumentalist, arranger and band leader from São Paulo, Brazil. He began his musical studies when he was 6, and was playing professionally by age 11.

After receiving his formal musical training at the Escola Municipal de Música, he went on to perform with some of the most famous musicians in Brazil, including Ivan Lins, Wilson Simonal, Raul Seixas, Sá e Guarabyra, Cauby Peixoto and Pery Ribeiro.

Gerson has played with The Duke Ellington All Stars Big Band in the USA, as well as with a number of big bands in Brazil, including Banda Savana, Comboio Jazz, Banda Cacique, Speakin’ Jazz, Banda Urbana, Banda Jazzco, and the Zérró Santos Big Band Project.

Gerson's CD credits include his debut solo CD, 501 (1993), featuring guest artist Ivan Lins, as well as BemDito (1996) and Tributo a Pixinguinha (1997) with Itacir Bocato, Banda Brazuca (2001) with João Cristal, Novo Brasileiro (2006) with Bandazul, Maybe September (2001) and Uncle Charles (2007) with Soundscape Big Band, Na Base do Improviso (2015) with Amilson Godoy, and Jazz Sinfônica 25 Anos (2015) with Orquestra Jazz Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo, and Relatos Suburbanos (2012), with Banda Urbana, featuring the music of Rafael Piccolotto. He has just released two new discs with composer/pianist Adylson Godoy, SambaJazz New Directions (2023), and SambaJazz Traditional (2024). 

Gerson has played in the São Paulo-Montreaux Jazz Festival, various Broadway musicals in Brazil, and has toured extensively with ensembles throughout Brazil, Argentina, Uraguay, Venuzuela, Italy, Canada and The United States. He has been the lead tenor saxophonist and premier soloist of Brasil Jazz Sinfônica for over 20 years, as well as a member of Orquestra Arte Viva in São Paulo. His arrangements have been performed by Jazz Sinfônica, Speakin' Jazz Big Band, Big Beat Big Band, CompCord Big Band, Caldwell University Jazz Band, Newark Academy, NJIT Jazz Band, and the Nutley High School Jazz Ensemble. Gerson is co-founder, resident arranger and bandleader of his own Brazilian-American cross-continental group, InterXchange Ensemble.