BIOGRAPHY
Igor Prado is a watershed figure in the history of Blues and North American roots music made in South America. With a career spanning more than 40 countries, the Brazilian guitarist and music producer achieved what seemed impossible for a musician born outside the traditional centers of the United States: he broke the North American monopoly, topped the most important radio charts of the genre, and cemented his name in the history of international Blues, Soul, and Funk.
Early Beginnings and the “Upside Down” Identity
Igor Prado’s interest in the guitar began early, at the age of 11, and his passion for the raw, visceral language of the Blues was immediate. A remarkably gifted young musician, by the age of 16 Igor was already performing professionally at clubs and festivals — at the time, requiring special court authorization due to being underage.
Left-handed and entirely self-taught, he developed a unique and striking technique: instead of restringing a right-handed guitar, Igor simply flipped it upside down, keeping the strings in their original order — with the bass strings positioned at the bottom of the neck. This organic and unconventional approach helped shape an unmistakable style, defined by deep phrasing, powerful dynamics and an overwhelming sense of groove.
Breaking Boundaries, International Tours and Major U.S. Collaborations
Immersing himself deeply in the roots of Traditional Blues, Soul and Funk, Igor Prado built a direct connection with some of the finest artists in American roots music. Throughout his career, he has toured extensively around the world and collaborated on stage and in the studio with renowned artists including Kim Wilson (The Fabulous Thunderbirds), Mud Morganfield (son of Muddy Waters), Phil Guy (brother of Buddy Guy), Wee Willie Walker, Rod Piazza, Billy Branch, Junior Watson, Omar Coleman, Lynwood Slim, J.J. Jackson, Tia Carroll, Sax Gordon, Deitra Farr and many others.
In Brazil, his versatility has also led him to work closely with major names such as Mano Brown & Boogie Naipe, Nereu Mocotó (Trio Mocotó) and Wilson Sideral.
A Highly Sought-After Guest on the International and Brazilian Music Scenes
Igor Prado’s signature guitar sound has become so distinctive and respected that he has established himself as a highly sought-after special guest for internationally acclaimed artists.
His tone and unmistakable groove can be heard on studio recordings by major international and Brazilian artists, including:
International Artists: Earl Thomas, Curtis Salgado, Diunna Greenleaf, Whitney Shay, Tia Carroll and Aki Kumar.
Brazilian Artists: Nasi, Lino Krizz and Sorry Drummer.
The Delta Groove Era and Historic Achievements on the U.S. Blues Charts
Igor’s international recognition began gaining significant momentum in 2007, when the prestigious magazines Real Blues (Canada) and Blues Matters (UK) included his work among their best albums of the year, making him the only South American artist featured alongside major North American names.
In 2009 and 2010, he appeared at the iconic Doheny Blues Festival in the United States, sharing the bill with legendary acts such as The Black Crowes, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Robert Cray and Taj Mahal.
In 2010, alongside California singer and harmonica player Lynwood Slim, Igor signed with the legendary Delta Groove Records for the release of Brazilian Kicks. The impact was immediate: in December of that year, the album reached an impressive #2 on the Living Blues Radio Chart, competing directly with the #1 album by none other than Buddy Guy.
Continuing his rise, Igor released the audiovisual project Blues & Soul Sessions (CD/DVD) in 2012. It was named Album of the Year by the respected Blues Junction website and featured in the “Bravo!” column of the American magazine Blues Revue, alongside Ben Harper and Gary Clark Jr.
In 2013, his passion for the swing and boogie-woogie sounds of the 1940s and 1950s took shape with the instrumental album Lowdown Boogie, recorded as a duo project with pianist Ari Borger and featuring guest appearances by Junior Watson and Sax Gordon.
Reaching the Top and the “Blues Music Awards”
The year 2015 marked an unprecedented achievement for a Latin American Blues artist. With the release of Way Down South, Igor Prado reached #1 on the Living Blues Radio Chart during March and April, becoming the first and only South American artist to reach the top position among the most-played Blues albums on U.S. radio.
The cultural and commercial impact of the album earned Igor a historic nomination at the 2016 Blues Music Awards — widely regarded as the “Oscars of the Blues” and held in Memphis, Tennessee — in the category of Best New Artist Album. Never before had a South American musician reached such a milestone.
During the same period, the album also received international recognition with two awards at the Independent Music Awards (IMA).
European Connections, Universal Grooves and International Awards
Always expanding his musical boundaries, in late 2016 Igor began a prolific partnership with acclaimed Austrian Hammond organist Raphael Wressnig. Their first collaboration, The Soul Connection, featured the legendary Wee Willie Walker on vocals and received widespread critical acclaim, earning a place among the Albums of the Year selections by DownBeat, one of the world’s most respected jazz publications.
Between 2018 and 2021, Igor also founded the São Paulo-based project JustGroove, a powerhouse of neo-soul and instrumental funk bringing together some of the finest musicians from São Paulo’s gospel scene, including Rael Lúcio (Mano Brown), Jesiel Oliveira (Thalles Roberto), Ted Furtado and Juninho Isidoro.
His European partnership with Wressnig resulted in two further releases on the long-established European label ZYX Music: the critically acclaimed studio album Groove & Good Times (2021) and the energetic More Groove, More Good Times Live (2023), recorded live at Austria’s historic Orpheum Theater.
In 2024, celebrating more than 25 years on the road and reconnecting with his roots, Igor once again joined forces with his brother, drummer and artistic director Yuri Prado, to release the acclaimed album Destined Souls under the Prado Brothers name.
The strength of Igor’s songwriting was once again recognized internationally when the powerful version of “Kumbaya (Come By Here)”, produced and arranged in collaboration with American singer Earl Thomas, won 1st Place in the Blues category at the prestigious International Songwriting Competition (ISC), standing out among more than 14,000 entries submitted from around the world.
The single was also awarded 1st Place in the Blues category at the 18th Independent Music Awards.
A Triumphant Return to Major U.S. Labels with Old, New, Funky & Blue
The year 2026 marks Igor Prado’s return to a major presence on the American Blues scene through the prestigious Nola Blue Records. Old, New, Funky & Blue, a collaborative project with acclaimed Chicago harmonica player and vocalist Omar Coleman, celebrates a musical partnership spanning more than 15 years.
The album received an outstanding response in both the United States and Europe, establishing itself among the five most-played releases on several major Blues charts and reaching an impressive #3 on the Living Blues Radio Chart in February and March 2026, as well as entering the Top 10 of the NACC Blues Chart, which tracks U.S. college and independent radio.
The Legacy of a Record Producer
Beyond his work as a guitarist, Igor has built a strong reputation behind the scenes as a producer with a deep understanding of vintage tone, analog aesthetics and traditional recording techniques.
Working from his own recording facility, Prado Studio, he has produced projects by artists including Flávio Guimarães (Blues Etílicos), Prado Blues Band, Donny Nichilo (former pianist for Buddy Guy), Ari Borger, Raphael Wressnig and Omar Coleman.
His production work has been released by internationally respected labels including Pacific Blues — founded by legendary Motown producer Jerry Hall, who worked with artists such as Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder — as well as Delta Groove Productions and Nola Blue Records.
The International Festival Circuit
Igor Prado has brought his authentic sound to stages across Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Paraguay, Mexico, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the United States.
Among the major international festivals and events on his résumé are:
United States: Waterfront Blues Festival, Doheny Blues Festival, Russian River Festival, Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival, Gator By The Bay.
Canada: Tremblant International Blues Festival.
Spain: BluesCazorla Festival, Hondarribia Blues Festival, Rock n River Blues Festival.
Switzerland: Lucerne Blues Festival.
Italy: Porretta Soul Festival, Blues in Villa, Baia Domizia Blues Festival, San Severino Festival.
France: Mescleuves Blues Festival, Vache de Blues.
Germany: Eutin Blues Festival, Hildesheim Jazz Festival.
Norway: European Blues Cruise Festival, Dark Season Blues Festival.
Belgium: Banana Peel Blues Nights.
Brazil: Rio das Ostras Jazz & Blues Festival, Samsung Best of Blues.
With his feet firmly planted in tradition, a profound respect for the roots of the music and an ever-evolving approach to groove, Igor Prado continues to stand as one of South America’s leading voices in Blues and Soul guitar, bringing his unmistakable sound to audiences around the world.