Emilio Tostado

Born and raised in Chicago, and now studying in New York, Emilio Tostado is taking steps to make music something more than just a hobby.The high school years saw Emilio regularly joined veteran Blues act Gloria Shannon and her band on stage as a sub/lead guitarist during their tenure at the Blue Chicago store. He played with Chicago musicians Mike Gallagher, Steve Haberichter, Brian Riordan, Dave Kinney, Ryan Suzuka, The Stretch, and R&B legend Zora Young. He also played lead guitar for his own classic rock/blues outifts Cover Charge and Six Dollar Burger, and was a founding member of South-side Chicago jam band The BED trio.He has lent his rhythm/lead guitar work to the funk/soul pet projects of Cleveland drummer Drew Schultz, who is currently the touring drummer for legendary Motown act The Four Tops. As a member of both Drew Schultz and the New FAMF and The New Soul Brothers, he has played at such New York City venues as Cachaca, Jules Bistro, Goodbye Blue Monday!, and Webster Hall. During a four month stay in Prague, Emilio joined ensembles led by Czech producer/guitarist Patrik and Czech jazz tromobonist Filip Jiskra, and had the privilege of sharing the stage with fellow Chicagoan Rene Trossman and his band at U Maleho Glena.Most recently, Emilio plays guitar, sings, and composes funk, soul, blues, and rock music with fellow New Soul Brother members, bassist Jent LaPalm and guitarist Dan Sieling, in their latest configuration, The Deli Special. He also writes and performs songs with singer/songwriter Kaylyn Marie, in addition to some especially recent activity as a new regular at the Wednesday Night Song Club at Ceol in Brooklyn, NY. You can often find him underground in NY's subway system, with more frequency during the summer season, strumming and singing for change and chance encounters on one of the following platforms:Union Square L 42nd Street 1,2,3 Columbus Circle A,C,E 34 Penn Street Station A,C,EHe also strums and sings for his own edification at the Classon G train stop late nights when he either doesn't have to get up early the next day, or when he is inspired and forgoes sleep for the music.