Gabriel Furtado (Vandalia) is a West Philadelphia-based guitarist and singer known for his ability to weave in and out of acoustic music genres. Whether it’s playing traditional jazz with The Hot Club of Philadelphia, bluegrass with the Cheddar Boys, Appalachian music with Rubble City Stringband at the West Philly Square Dance, or French musettes with Rob Curto, his rhythmic approach to the instrument sets the audience’s foot tapping. Recent engagements have seen Gabriel gracing the stages of the Kimmel Center, The Philadelphia Folk Festival, Chris’ Jazz Club and the Sellersville theater.

Classically trained, Gabriel discovered the joy of traditional music later in life, after twenty years of studying the classical guitar. Gabriel began seriously studying bluegrass guitar in his late twenties, and the style now forms the backbone of his technique. A passionate teaching artist, Gabriel maintains a full roster of students, teaches workshops, and works with young and expectant families of Philadelphia’s migrant communities as part of Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Project.

Current projects include the string ensemble Vandalia, the classic country duo Cocalico, and his ongoing project exploring French accordion music with accordionist Rob Curto.

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