Eralio Gill

Born in San José de los Arrayos, Paraguay, in 1934, Eralio Gill began to study the harp at the age of five. Seven years later, the young Gill performed at the prestigious National Theatre in Asunción, the Paraguayan capital. Since then, Gill has toured and performed extensively around the world either as a solo artist or as a member such groups as Los Gavilanes, Los Trovadores del Paraguay, Los Palominos and Los Araucanos. Recording his first album in Ecuador for RCA Records in 1959, Gill has subsequently released five more albums on various independent labels. In 1964, Gill emigrated to Canada, where he has resided ever since. Besides pursuing his career as a musician, he has taught the Paraguayan harp at various institutions, including Laval University in Quebec City. It was at Laval that Gill and musicologist Juan Carlos Barbara wrote a three-volume teaching manual for the Paraguayan harp. Steeped in the rich tradition of Paraguayan harp masters Félix Pérez Cardozo and José Asunción Flores, Gill's seductive style highlights the beauty this unique-sounding instrument. Exhibiting incredible dexterity, his playing evokes vivid images of Paraguay in this remarkable collection of fast-paced galopas and slower guaranias. Died on October 5, 2014 at 80 years old.