Gil Silva

Trombone

Participated in the 2020 edition

Gil Silva is a trombonist from Valado dos Frades (Nazaré, Portugal), who began his musical studies at the age of seven in Alcobaça. After brief explorations with other instruments, he chose the trombone as his primary voice, gradually integrating local wind bands and light orchestras, where his interest in jazz began to take shape.

Following his foundational music education, he pursued a professional course in classical music, studying at the Academia de Música de Alcobaça and later completing his training at the Escola Profissional de Música de Espinho.

Driven by a growing commitment to jazz, he enrolled in the jazz program at the Escola Superior de Música e Artes do Espetáculo in 2016, graduating in 2020. During this period, he developed his artistic identity through collaborations, independent projects, and an Erasmus experience in Amsterdam. He also attended and worked with leading contemporary musicians, including Guillermo Klein, Mário Laginha, Seamus Blake, Demian Cabaud, Terell Stafford, Abe Rábade, Tineke Postma, Vince Mendoza, Jeff Lederer, and Matt Ulery.

Currently, Gil Silva explores music with an open and exploratory mindset, focusing on free jazz, collective improvisation, and original repertoire. His work reflects an ongoing search for a personal artistic voice as a musician and improviser.