Elisio Gomes

Elísio Gomes (born Elísio Alves Cabral Gomes) is a name in Cape Verdean music with more than 40 years of experience.

Born on 9 March 1964 in Saltos Acima, in the municipality of Santa Catarina on the island of Santiago, Cabo Verde, he entered the world of music from a very early age. Nothing could keep him away from his passion, and between domestic chores and schoolwork, Elísio would build guitars out of oil cans and drums out of everyday materials.

But like most Cape Verdeans, soon came his time to emigrate, and in 1981 he moved to Lisbon to learn drums and percussion at the music school of Conde Redondo. He has not stopped since, bringing together funaná, batuko, reggae and kizomba, to just name a few.

Elísio counts 8 albums, having kicked off with Chuma Lopes, recorded in Portugal in 1985 with Joaquim “Fefé” Varela and Naquêl Tempo Câ Tinha, recorded in 1989 with Papá de Betina. In 1991 he began his on-going solo career, which took him to France and the United States. Elísio traces the sky as his limit, and always tries his best to spread Cape Verdean culture all across the globe.